Jazz Finland Live

Olavi Uusivirta is a stage and film actor, singer-songwriter, columnist and rising figure in the Finnish cultural life. Even though he represents the younger of artists generation in the Koko kesä Kalliossa concert series, he has aready a long and impressive CV. Hundreds of appearances on stage at the Finnish National Theatre have moulded a charismatic performing artist out of this young man, and he is a joy to both listen to and look at. Fronting Koko Jazz Orchestra, he sings his own hits in delicious new arrangements and a selection of good old evergreens.

Koko kesä Kalliossa invites one beloved Finnish artist at a time to front the house band, whose core is formed by vibraphonist Arttu Takalo, bassist Timo Hirvonen and drummer Jussi Lehtonen. Koko Jazz Orchestra arranges a number of highlights from each feature artist’s career, seasoning the favourite songs with jazz.

Olavi Uusivirta, laulu
Arttu Takalo, vibrafoni
Timo Hirvonen, basso
Jussi Lehtonen, rummut

Tickets 20 / 15 € at the door, pre-tickets at Tiketti shops or online on Tiketti.fi (+ 1,50 € handling fees).

Open event

The legendary jazz group Olmanrin Unioni reunites.

Open event

Sjökvarteret or the Maritime Quarter of Mariehamn on Åland Islands fills with sweaty afrobeat and funk rhythms tonight as the Finnish-Beninese Helsinki-Cotonou Ensemble performs at Ålands sjödagar event. NIPÅ (Nordic institut on Åland) organises the concert in co-operation with the Sjödagar festival.

Helsinki-Cotonou Ensemble is an eight-piece lead by Finnish guitarist Janne Halonen and Beninese singer-percussionist Noël Saïzonou. The inter-cultural musical project was initiated in 2012 when Halonen, drummer Juha Räisänen and bassist Sampo Riskilä travelled to sojourn at the Finnish-African Cultural Centre in Benin. The second album is currently in the making and is due to be released by the end of the year.

Helsinki-Cotonou Ensemble:

Janne Halonen, guitar, vocals

Noël Saïzonou - percussion, saxophone, vocals

Juha Räsänen - drums

Sampo Riskilä - bass

Visa Oscar - keys

Mikko Pettinen - trumpet

Joakim Berghäll - saxophone

Menard Mponda - percussion, vocals

Open event