Pasi (Basilius) Jääskeläinen[1] (May 30, 1869 in
Haapavesi – January 23, 1920 in
Helsinki) was a
Finnish actor, singer, playwright and
kantele player. He was one of the first recorded
Cuplé singers in
Finland. In addition he was one of the first artists to produce recordings in Finland, as previously they had been made in places like
Saint Petersburg. Jääskeläinen recorded dozens of songs from 1904 until 1911.[2][3]
Biography
Basilius "Pasi" Jääskeläinen was born on May 30, 1869, in the municipality and town of Haapavesi,
Grand Duchy of Finland. Jääskeläinen studied at a private grammar school in
Oulu from 1879 until 1882. He then studied the organ and graduated in the year of 1887. In 1902 Jääskeläinen made a trip to the
United States in which he entertained the Finnish emigrants. In 1904 and 1905, he made his first recordings in Helsinki and was thus one of the first Finnish artists to make recordings in Finland. Jääskeläinen's recording career lasted until 1911, when he had finished with a total of sixty-four recordings made in Helsinki and
Copenhagen. As an actor Jääskeläinen had founded an opera house in Haapavesi. On January 22, 1920, Jääskeläinen departed with his son on a visit to Helsinki. The following day, he died from a stroke.[3]