Jazz Finland Live

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The 80-year-old veteran is to appear with the 18-piece in two concerts in the Helsinki metropolitan area. The concert programme will be as special as the occasion, including the premier of the extensive new piece Saarnaaja (The Preacher), Sibelius’s choral music in new arrangements and other material composed or arranged specifically for the concert.

Sointi Jazz Orchestra has aimed high when it comes to recruiting the guest soloist for their first collaborative concert: saxophonist-flutist Juhani ”Junnu” Aaltonen counts, no doubt, among Finland’s most iconic jazzers. ”Aaltonen’s fierce improvisation has inspired several jazz generations already! We are super excited and honoured to have him work with us,” says Rasmus Soini, the artistic director of the orchestra. 

The title 'Saarnaaja' refers to the technique where playing is likened to the fervent verbal performance of priests – something that describes the style of ’the Finnish Coltrane’ very aptly. 

Juhani Aaltonen, who is known for his powerful, robust sax-playing and meandering, soulful improvisation, turned 80 years last December. This has not slowed the old master down; on the contrary, the staggering vitality that has always characterised his sound has been described to have grown deeper with age. Founded in 2013, Sointi Jazz Orchestra is an 18-piece whose aim is to reform Finnish big band music. In addition to original works, their repertory consists of tailored works and new kinds of concert concepts; including a big band arrangement of the well-known Christmas play, Star Boys, theatre appearances and the cross-over play Juhlat in collaboration with Ylioppilasteatteri.

Juhani Aaltonen (tenor sax, flutes)
Rasmus Soini (conduction, compositions)
Petteri Hietamäki (alto and soprano sax, flute)
Sampo Kasurinen (alto sax, flute, clarinet)
Frans Thomsson (tenor sax, flute, clarinet)
Janne Saarinen (tenor sax, oboe)
Joakim Berghäll (baritone sax, flute, bass clarinet, compositions/arrangements)
Tommi Kolunen (trumpet, flugelhorn)
Tomi Nikku (trumpet, flugelhorn)
Leo Kylätasku (trumpet, flugelhorn)
Jasmin Afaneh (trumpet, flugelhorn, flute, alto flute)
Ilkka Hongisto (French horn)
Mikko Haanpää (trombone, bass trombone)
Panu Luukkonen (trombone)
Arttu Hautala (trombone)
Ville Niemelä (tuba)
Aleksis Liukko (piano)
Kaisa Mäensivu (double bass)
Siiri Partanen (drums)

http://www.sointijazzorchestra.com 

Tickets 15/10 €

Open event

Tickets 15/10€, pre-sale at Tiketti.fi, 13/8€ + service fees. 

Members: 10/5€

Moment's Quartet
Mikko Pasanen - piano
Esko Kauppinen - double bass
Pauliina Pohjolainen - saxophone
Tomi Kämäräinen - drums

Open event

This year, UMO’s traditional Easter Holy Week concert expands to become a three concert, as the orchestra, together with singer Dean Bowman, plays churches in the capital city region. This time the Silent Music concerts concentrate on Afro-American spirituals, beautifully arranged for a large jazz orchestra.

Originally known for his work in the band Screaming Headless Torsos, Bowman cites gospel and Afro-American spirituals as the bedrock his compositions rest on. His dusky baritone and cool falsetto have left their mark in the hearts of people around the world. Bowman has been described as an avant-garde gospel vocalist and a jazz singer with a rocker’s soul. In addition to this own bands, he has preformed with, e.g. John Scofield, Charlie Hunter and Steve Coleman.

2008 was the last time Dean Bowman and UMO performed together, to a spellbound audience at the Temppeliaukio Church. This spring’s tour will start at the Espoo Cathedral, moving on to the Church of St. Lawrence in Vantaa and ending at Mikael Agricola Church in Helsinki on Good Friday.

Tickets from Ticketmaster 24,50 € / 20,50 € / 13,50 €, incl. service fee.

Open event