Oulu Music Festivals autumn season’s Jazz & Etno concert series feature 11 concerts. As the interlude for the series, Kuusisto & Perko Co. performs on 15 August on the Night of the Arts at the Jumpru Patio. They play well-known Finnish tunes and jazz standards.
Folk music and club nights
The Jazz & Etno concert series stars officially at Haukipudas’ Teatterikuoppa on Saturday 14 September with Vildá, who draws inspiration from the strong connection of the Sámi people and the nature. Hildá Länsman sings and yoiks and Viivi Maria Saarenkylä plays accordion.
Zäpämmät is a two-woman duo, whose repertoire consists of beautiful but ragged songs, drawing from the Finnish folk music and are combined with musical elements from Senegal, Mali, Cuba and flamenco. The duo’s concert is at Vanha Paloasema Bar on 4 October.
BATTLE is a club night and a ballet performance, a contest and an art enjoyment. Their tour arrives to Oulu, at Vanha Paloasema Bar on 27 September. BATTLE contests are rap artist Ailu Valle and ballerina Auri Ahola against violist Terhi Paldanius and b-boy Jimi Kettunen. The battle is hosted by beatbox musician Kevin Francett.
Jazz Finland tours
The autumn season brings also the Jazz Finland tours to Oulu. Part of tours are co-produced with Jazz 20 ry and Oulu Music Festival.
On Wednesday 25 September Alder Ego arrives to Vanha Paloasema. This fearless jazz group was formed in the fall 2014 around Joonas Leppänen’s compositions. The band consists of young talents and their music moves between free expression and composed material. Their second album II was released by We Jazz Records in October 2018.
Pianist Riitta Paakki has familiarized herself with the golden era of Blue Note and the influences can be heard in the soloistic expression of all four members. Riitta Paakki Quartet released their debut album in August 2018 on Koko Records. The album was well-received and gained international attention especially in Japan. The concert at Vanha Paloasema on 6 November features material from the debut, new compositions and carefully-selected African American pieces.
Ten-year anniversary tours and international guests
Vibraphone trio Herd celebrates its 10-year anniversary and performs in Oulu on 9 October. The bands celebration started in February with the release of a new album, X (Doorbel Music).
The collective of three energetic musicians, Mopo, also celebrates its ten-year journey. Trio takes over the Voimala Stage on Friday 25 October. The band draws influence from jazz, punk and the Finnish nature.
Based in New York, Olli Hirvonen is one of the most successful Finnish jazz guitarists at the world. OLLI HIRVONEN NEW HELSINKI arrives to Oulu, at Vanha Paloasema on Thursday 21 November. Hirvonen has released three albums, the newest one being called Displace, released by American Ropeadope Records. On Display Hirvonen demonstrates his distinctive and unique approach towards jazz music and guitar-playing and combines elements from jazz, progressive rock, noise and modern classical music.
Autums season ends with Frigg
The super group of Finnish folk music, Frigg, started a new Christmas concert tradition. This year, the tradition gets continuation at Pohjankartano’s hall on 30 November at 4 o’clock. Last year the band won over the audience with their warm and tuneful performance. The repertoire highlights the old-time down-to-earth Christmas.
Photo: Vildá by Joanna Suominen / Jimmy Traskelin