Jazz Finland Live
Jazz Finland Festival, Ilmiliekki Quartet,Black Box, Musiikkitalo, helsinki19.9. At 20:30
Ilmiliekki Quartet won the Young Nordic Jazz Comets band contest in 2001, and since that their star has been fixed to the Finnish and European jazz universe.The group has gathered Finnish and international attention in form of praising reviews and fascinated audiences. All members of the band have hoarded music prizes and artist recognitions within the Finnish music scene, so Ilmiliekki has definitely earned their ”all-star-band” title.
Their music is said to perfectly interprete the Finnish mindscape, from the deepest and most lyrical melancholy, to the all-conquering sisu. The quartet has released three albums so far, and the newest one, after their brief hiatus, comes out just in time for the Jazz Finland festival.
Gigs on the same day in helsinki
Jazz Finland Festival, AR QuartetBlack Box, Musiikkitalo, helsinki19.9. At 19:30
AR Quartet is a band of four young musicians from Helsinki, formed in 2008. Several years of mutual history can actually be heard on stage, as their interaction sounds very natural and intuitive. It has also been noticed in different contests, as in 2012 the quartet won the first prize in the Finnish Young Nordic Jazz Comets competition and placed second in the Jazz Hoeilaart competition in Belgium. Last year they were awarded with the We Jazz Rising Star prize by maybe the hottest jazz agency in Finland, and they released their debut album in March 2014 on JazzHUG/Fredriksson Music.
What distinguishes AR Quartet from many other groups playing so-called ”even eights” is the fact that they can actually swing. However modern their music might be, they have roots deep in the jazz tradition – which is something that all the best jazz players have in common. Besides good chemistry, a great deal of their sound comes from the unique compositions by pianist Artturi Rönkä. He has already won a few composition contests, and he was nominated as The Artist Of The Year by Pori Jazz festival in 2013.
Jazz Finland Festival, Aki Rissanen TrioCamerata, Musiikkitalo, helsinki19.9. At 20:00
The trio mainly plays Rissanen’s own compositions, and combines the many nuances of a jazz piano trio, from lyrical approach to swinging energy. The music of Rissanen draws influences from the works of Bill Evans to Cecil Taylor, from Lennie Tristano to Kenny Werner. The members of the ensemble all have their own, individual sound that they combine brilliantly. Trio’s debut album, linked to the animated movie Amorandom, will be released in 2015.
Pianist Aki Rissanen (b. 1980) studied at Kuopio Conservatory, Conservatoire Superiour de Musique in Paris and at the Sibelius-Academy in Helsinki. He graduated from The Sibelius-Academy with a master in music in 2009. Despite the fact he's been educated in classical music, Rissanen has always been interested in jazz music and improvisation. Rissanen has played on 20 albums with artists like Dave Liebman, Rick Margitza, Tim Hagans, Jim Beard, Verneri Pohjola, Juhani Aaltonen and Mikko Hassinen.
”Pianist Aki Rissanen is exceptional in his touch, improvisation, technique and empathy.”
- London Jazz News, Eric Ford, Jan 19 2014, UK about "Aleatoric" (2013)
Jazz Finland Festival, Kari Ikonen TrioCamerata, Musiikkitalo, helsinki19.9. At 21:00
This very special trio cooks with the best European ingredients, the art of Afro-American cuisine and finest Oriental spices. Chef Kari Ikonen and his team serve up a menu that combines his own creations with fresh interpretations of traditional Armenian dishes and classic recipes from cordons bleus like Coltrane or Shorter.
Also delicious take-away available: the trio's debut album Bright, released in April 2013 by the respected German label Ozella, has been a success in tastings all over the world. German JAZZTHETIK and American Something Else Reviews chose Bright on their lists of the best jazz albums of 2013.
“Kari Ikonen lets his jazz chops shine, his groove glisten and his range within the music flourish”
- John Ephland, All About Jazz (USA)
Jazz Finland Festival, Nina MyaBlack Box, Musiikkitalo, helsinki19.9. At 21:30
Nina Mya is an award-winning Finnish jazz singer and composer, and soon she will graduate as a Master of Jazz from Sibelius Academy. Her debut album, Flying Solo, was released in the summer of 2012 when she was also awarded as the Pori Jazz Artist of the Year. Nina Mya's repertoire consists of carefully selected jazz classics and mostly her own compositions which follow the 60's American jazz tradition, especially with a modal sound. A modern touch comes from influences from soul and r&b and also modern vocal jazz. Nina is therefore described as a bridge-builder between the traditional and modern jazz singing.
Her voice is technically trained up to it's best, phrasing and rhythm is precise and strong interpretation is in the main focus. She is also an amazing improvisor. Her stage personality is confident, real and compelling - and despite her young age she has elevated in every respect in to an international level. The connection and work between the group is forthright and based on a real interaction. This last academic year Nina has spent in New York and she will publish a new EP in the summer 2014. The material was recorded in New York in March.
Jazz Finland Festival x We Jazz: Mopo + We Jazz DJsLavaklubi, helsinki19.9. At 22:30
The We Jazz collective hosts the Friday night club at Jazz Finland at the atmospheric Lavaklubi. Mopo performs live and the We Jazz DJs will spin some raw jazz for the dancers and listeners alike. We Jazz is best known for their celebrated bi-monthly club sessions at the venue Kuudes linja, and from their festival event which was initiated in December 2013. The We Jazz DJs host two popular radio shows, "Jazz Kiinnostaa" on Radio Helsinki and "Lauantaijatsit" on Bassoradio.
Mopo is a collective of three talented musicians from Finland. The energetic trio saw the daylight in the fall of 2009, when the musicians brainstormed as a result of a bar-fight. Mopo ("a moped") accelerates easily from zero to speed of light, but mostly the trio steps on the gas for a energetic joyride in the countryside. The trio draws their inspiration from jazz, punk and the Finnish nature. Each composition is born in the magic of the moment and Mopo's intense performances have stolen the hearts of their audiences all over the Finnish and international jazz club scene. Mopo has performed in London Jazz Festival, BBC Jazz On Radio 3 live session and prestigious 12 Points! festival, just to name a few. Mopo released their debut album, Jee! in 2012 and second album Beibe in 2014, both on Finnish Texicalli Records label. The latter is going to international distribution by Edition Records in the UK.
100% improv: Good Romans feat. Jari HongistoRavintola Allotria, Hämeentie 68, helsinki19.9. At 21:00
The Helsinki-based duo Good Romans will host a new club series once in August and twice in September in the capital. The club will focus on improvised music and feature a guest artist each time. The Free Club takes place at Ravintola Allotria on Friday the 15th in August and Friday the 5th and the 19th in September. Good Romans will be joined by pianist Kari Ikonen, drummer Mika Kallio and trombonist Jari Hongisto, respectively. Expect intriguing, distorted musical images and sporadic visions from the future and the dark side of the mind.
On the third night the duo's guest will be Jari Hongisto.
Good Romans feat. Jari Hongisto
Ilari Filander – guitar / Jussi Miettola - drums, electronics
Jari Hongisto - trombone
Tickets 10 €.
