Jazz Finland Live

Arttu Takalo Group will perform vibraphonist Arttu Takalo's compositions on 6 May at Tavastiaklubi. Earlier known as a composer of mainly instrumental music, Takalo has now written for a vocalist, as well: at Tavastia, the group will be joined by the Dallapé leading man, Juha Hostikka. We will hear material from Takalo's all six solo albums without forgetting new pieces from the upcoming release, "Sept.Naif".

Timo Hirvonen: bass
Jussi Lehtonen: drums
Niko Kumpuvaara: accordion
Patrik Stenströn: clarinet
Juha Hostikka: vocals
Severi Salminen: violin
Klaara Pyrhönen: violin
Mauri Kuokkanen: alto violin
Tiia Ignatius: cello

Tickets: 13,50 e (pre-booked), 14 e (at the door).

Open event

NYConnection is a quartet, formed by three top-notch Finnish jazz musicians and the internationally acknowledged Israeli pianist, Roy Assaf. The group has just released
their new album, which will be celebrated tonight at Koko Jazz Club!

On their new album, NYConnection has combined traditional elements of jazz, such as harmonic patterns and sophisticated swing, with a melodicism borrowed from the sonic realm of folk music. As to the compositional method, the group has kept the tradition of jazz music constantly on their mind, while taking a more narrative approach; namely, by drawing from stories and songs. The group has been inspired especially by Griots, West-African singers, poets, and storytellers, famed for their skill of bringing old tales to life in the now. Thus it is no surprise that improvisation has a key role in these jazz Griots’ music and that the pieces are based on the group’s shared experiences and stories.

The new compositions leave plenty of room for each player’s improvisation and free interaction with the other band members. At times, this leads into exciting musical role play. Jussi Kannaste accompanies on his saxophone like a pianist, while pianist Assaf veers away from traditional comping, engaging instead in a melodic and rhythmic dialogue with drummer Jaska Lukkarinen. Antti Lötjönen’s bass provides the vital backbone. The band exploits fully all the instrumental combinations that a quartet line-up can offer, which makes the new album brim with bold and experimental expression in solo, duo, trio and quartet forms.

As the name suggests, the story behind NYConnection takes us to New York, since it was there that Jaska Lukkarinen and Roy Assaf first met in 2007. Their debut album, “Party of Four”, came out on Lukkarinen’s Jaskaa label in spring 2012. The pair’s friendship acts as the thread of life for NYConnection, both on and off stage.

The release is available for listening on Soundcloud.com:
https://soundcloud.com/nyconnection

Roy Assaf – piano

Jussi Kannaste – saxophone

Jaska Lukkarinen – drums

Antti Lötjönen – bass

http://www.nyconnection.net/

Tickets: 15/10 e. Bookings: bookings@kokojazz.fi, 050 321 9919 or Tiketti, tiketti.fi, 0600 1 1616

Interviews: Creatika Agancy press@creatika.fi / 044 5661903 / 040 537 8407 www.creatika.fi

Open event

The concert presents saxophonist Michael Brecker's rich jazz language from a keyboardist's point of view. The program highlights Brecker's pioneering role in using the breath-controlled synthesizer, the Electric Wind Instrument (EWI), in jazz. The performance focuses on Brecker's compositions and improvisations as played on the EWI. The concert is the second part of Visa Oscar's series of postgraduate concerts for the doctoral degree.

Tickets: 17,50/12,50/6,50 € (Lippupalvelu and online store), 16/11/6 € (Music Centre box office)

Further information:

Producer
Ulla Havulehto
050 384 3451
ulla.havulehto@siba.fi

Open event

Eeppi Ursin is one of the most celebrated Finnish jazz singers, and does not feel uncomfortable in the realm of pop music either. After a prolonged break, Ursin will be back in limelight at Conservatory of Joensuu. 

The set list will consist of Ursin and her band members' original compositions, seasoned with a selection of the best-loved jazz standards. The other members of the group are top-notch Finnish jazzers and  Ursin's colleagues from the Karelia University of Applied Sciences.

Eeppi Ursin -  vocals
Joonas Haavisto - piano
Pekka Pylkkänen - saxophone
Timo Tolonen - bass
Ville Pynssi - drums

The concert is organised in co-operation by Conservatory of Joensuu and Jazzkerho -76.

Open event