Tapani Varis

Despite its wide usage, the Jew's harp is an instrument that is treated with little respect, and is rarely considered a solo instrument. Tapani Varis is someone who has completely mastered the instrument. With his first album "Munniharppuuna", he resurrects Finland's 500-year old Jew's harp tradition which was thought to have been lost forever. Varis has added a wide geographical array of stylistic influences into his mix, including elements from the Jew's harp traditions of Hungary, Siberia and even Indonesia.