Jazz Finland Live

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