Jazz Finland Live

The Finnish Jazz Federation warmly welcomes you to the 17th Jazz-Espa Festival. The two-week concert series sees twenty Finnish jazz acts entertain music-lovers this summer on the Espa Stage in the Esplanadi Park. All Jazz-Espa concerts are accessible, free of charge and open to all ages. In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Finnish Jazz Federation, Jazz-Espa dresses up to a Jazz Federation's colours and turns up the volume by presenting as many as three large orchestras this year. The crown jewel of these big-band-sized ensembles is of course UMO Jazz Orchestra.

Thu 28th of July Takatonic

Takatonic

Teemu Takanen – alto & sopr. sax, Sampo Kasurinen – ten. sax, Heikki Tuhkanen – trmb, Eero Seppä – b, Joonas Riippa – dr

Led by saxophonist-composer Teemu Takanen, Takatonic is a jazz ensemble started in 2008. A constellation of five virtuoso instrumentalists, the group performs their leader’s original music whose rhythmic, melodic and harmonic elements display a tangible reliance on tradition.

Thu 28th of July Jargoslavia

Jargoslavia

Jarkko Niemelä – tr, alto sax, voc, Antti Kujanpää – organ, Petri Kautto – g, voc, Jori Huhtala – b, Tuomas Timonen – dr

Jargoslavia was born when saxophonist Jarkko Niemelä got the idea to marry Balkan and Middle Eastern sounds with jazz in 2012. Since that the group has played extensively at ethno music festivals and clubs in St Petersburg, Tallinn and Finland, and they are currently adding the finishing touches on their first album. Upcoming gigs include Turku’s acclaimed inter-artistic H2Ö Festival and at Jazz-Espa they will be testing the effect of their winning Balkan groove on jazz fans.

Jazz-Espa, July 25 – Aug 6, 2016

Espa Stage, Esplanadi Park

Concerts start at 4:00PM and 5:30PM every weekday (on Mondays at 4:00PM only). Saturday concerts are held at 3:00PM. 

Jazz-Espa 2016 programme:

Open event

The summery Koko kesä Kalliossa concert series kicks off this year with a strong dose of gentlemanly charisma when Finnish singer Veeti Kallio hits the stage with the Koko house orchestra. Thanks to his strong presence and husky voice, Veeti draws full houses wherever he goes. 

Conducted by Arttu Takalo.

Veeti Kallio, vocals
Arttu Takalo, vibraphone
Varre Vartiainen, guitar
Timo Hirvonen, bass
Jussi Lehtonen drums

Doors at 18:00
Tickets 28 €

Open event

Experience a new summery concert series with big band Sointi Jazz Orchestra in the stunning milieu of Tori Quarters, just off Helsinki Market Square.

In July, your lunch will be spiced up with a generous dose of jazz when members of Sointi Jazz Orchestra form unique, one-off jazz ensembles to entertain at three different venues. Each concert kicks off at noon. 

The third edition sees unusual trio line-up, formed by three horns, take the stage in the inner courtyard of the City Hall and Kaffeehaus Röntgen. Prepare yourself for exquisite melodic lines and sky-high improvisation. 

Max Zenger, baritone sax & bass clarinet
Janne Saarinen, oboe
Tomi Nikku, trumpet & flugelhorn

Free entry!

Open event

11.00 Korpo Market
KORPO SEA JAZZ HOUSEBAND feat. MIKKO PELLINEN & AKI RISSANEN
Free entry

Mikko Pellinen - b
Aki Rissanen - pno
Matias Långbacka - trp
Luumu Kaikkonen - gtr
Bosse Mellberg - drs

14.30 Nauvo Harbour
KORPO SEA JAZZ HOUSEBAND
Free entry

Matias Långbacka - trp
Luumu Kaikkonen - gtr
Bosse Mellberg - drs

19.00 Kommunalgården, Korpo
MAIN CONCERT
Tickets 25 €

Unio Ensemble
Manuel Dunkel - sax
Jere Haakana - gtr
Aki Rissanen - pno
Ville Pynssi - drs
Mikko Pellinen - b

Kasperi Sarikoski & Nuance
Kasperi Sarikoski - trb
Jere Haakana - gtr
Artturi Rönkä - pno
Vesa Ojaniemi - b
Jonatan Sarikoski - drs

23.00 Restaurant Buffalo
JAM SESSION
Host: Teemu Viinikainen

Open event

Jazz By the Sea Festival at Kotka's Restaurant Kairo!

21.00 M.A.Numminen & Uusrahvaanomainen Jatsiorkesteri
M.A.Numminen, vocals & phonebook
Pedro Hietanen, accordion
Jani Uhlenius, piano
Pekka Sarmanto, double bass
+ a discussion about Numminen's new book Jazzin meining 

23.00 Heikki Kauppinen & His Ultramodern Jazz Quartet
Heikki Kauppinen, vibes & clarinet
Vesa Tompuri, guitar
Kari Korpinen, double bass
Jallu Sundelin, drums

24.00 Djangomania Quartet
Arto Nybon, violin & vocals
Vesa Tompuri, guitar
Kari Korpinen, double bass
Jallu Sundelin, drums

Tickets 20 €

Open event

Jazz on the Beach in Raahe!

Galleria Myötätuuli
15:00 Pauli Lyytinen Magnetia Orkesteri: open rehearsal
Free entry!

Härkätori
17:00 Nynnykäpy
17.45 Sussu and Nasim kids' concert
18.30 Pauli Lyytinen Magnetia Orkesteri
Free entry!

Ruiskuhuone 
20:00 Raahe City Funk Unit + guests
Tickets 15 €

Open event

Keitelejazz Festival at Äänekoski!

19:00 Jazz Tent
19.15 Tiisu
21.00 Chisu
22.45 J. Karjalainen

Ticket 40 € + service fees

Open event