Jazz Finland Live

The Finnish-Swiss-Icelandic trio Equally Stupid will go on a second Finnish tour this autumn to celebrate their debut album. The group will give five live shows around Finland, the fourth of which will take place at Telakka in Tampere. Equally Stupid released their debut, entitled Exploding Head, in February this year, and the energetic live performances the trio gave in the wake of the release were much praised by critics. September’s tour is a continuation of that of February’s .

Equally Stupid is a vigorous and spirited jazz group, whose music can be characterised as melodic and rich in rhythmical layers. This group’s unapologetic, muscular groove holds the listener in its grip live and pulses strongly on the Eclipse Music –released debut album, as well. Despite their relatively short history as a band, each member’s career as an international jazz musician spans several years. Saxophone player Pauli Lyytinen is known from groups Elifantree, DEFEKT and Kauhukakara that lean on the Scandinavian strain of jazz music. The Helsinki-resident Icelander, Sigurdur Rögnvaldsson, melds traits of jazz and rock music in his guitar playing. His distinctive style is a strong presence in such Scandinavian groups as Uinuva, DEFEKT, Fuzz N' Us. Lyytinen and Röngvaldsson have collaborated frequently before the formation of Equally Stupid, for instance by playing together live for more than 150 times with groups DEFEKT and Laser. The third member, drummer David Meier, comes from Switzerland and has been gigging actively in recent years in the Continent with different projects and his own bands Hunter-Gatherer and Schnellertollermeier.

Pauli Lyytinen, sax

Sigurdur Rögnvaldsson, baritone guitar

David Maier, drums

Tickets: starting from 10 €.

"It is hard to imagine a better choice for a Finnish Ella." - Pentti Ronkanen, Keskisuomalainen

Aili Ikonen & Tribute to Ella plays the songs popularised by the unforgettable jazz vocalist Ella Fitzgerald. The six-piece interprets the pearls from her long and brilliant career, with the dazzling Aili Ikonen stepping into Ella's boots. The programme includes romantic ballads, up-tempo bebop numbers and Latin rhythms. The renditions are arranged by the group's artistic director Mikko Pellinen.

Vocalist Aili Ikonen has appeared as a soloist for UMO Jazz Orchestra and Norrbotten Big Band. She leads her own group, Aili Ikonen Ensemble, fronts HERD in their collaborative Jazz Bug concerts and is an important presence as vocalist, composer and lyricist in such groups as Kvalda, Korpi Ensemble and Hereä.

Tickets 15/12 €

Open event