Maria Kalaniemi is recognized as one of Finland's best and most respected contemporary accordionists and players. 

Her musical career goes back to the age of eight, when she first took up the instrument. She received eleven years of classical training, with several years of folk music training and performances simultaneously on the side. Today she is known as a gifted and skilled composer and player, who is in constant demand from musicians in all areas of the Finnish music scene, including jazz, big band, classical, popular, folk and contemporary.

Her priority project since 1992 is the group Aldargaz. Their first album was released in Finland by Olarin Musiikki, their second album, Iho, was released worldwide in 1997 on Hannibal/Rykodisc. Reviews around the world were ecstatic, praising Maria, Aldargaz and Iho as "brilliant," "enthralling," "colossal," "virtuoso," "spellbinding," "astonishing," "innovative" and more.

Aldargaz are:

• Maria Kalaniemi (5-row button accordion, free-bass 5-row button accordion)
• Timo Alakotila (piano -- also in JPP andTroka)
• Olli Varis (guitars)
• Tapani Varis (double bass)
• Petri Hakala (mandolin)
• Arto Järvela (violin - also in JPP)

• Maria Kalaniemi - Master of the Finnish Accordion
  Xenophile/Green Linnet (1992)
• Maria Kalaniemi & Aldargaz - Iho
  Hannibal/Rykodisc (1995)