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 4th of August at 4pm Zander

Joonas Haavisto – keys, Juho Kivivuori – b, Tuomas Timonen – dr

Zander made their debut in 2010 in Belgium at the final of prestigious Hoeilaart Jazz competition impressing the jury immediately with their exuberant and intense performance. From a traditional acoustic jazz trio sound, the trio’s output has evolved towards more electrical expression. February 2016 saw the debut album of Zander, The Sound of Rewinding. The cassette(!) is a fine example of creativity and open-mindedness that this energetic trio is all about.

Thu 4th of August at 5.30pm Laura Annika Quartet

Annika Mustonen – voc, comp, lyr, Aleksis Liukko – p, comp, Joonas Tuuri – db, Jesse Ojajärvi – dr

Laulaja Vocalist Annika Mustonen and pianist Aleksis Liukko stand behind the quartet’s subtle and stylish music. The compositions have their roots in modern and modal jazz, Brazilian rhythms and blues elements. The band has released one EP, titled Le Lac, yet already performed in some of the biggest jazz stages in Finland.

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 Mexican-born multi-instrumentalist Luiz Marquez began his career as a musician as early as in the 1960s. In 1971 he commenced studies in Mexican folk and pre-Hispanic music under the tutelage of Zacharias Segura, the incumbent Director of the Mexican National Ballet. 

Marquez's impressive instrument collection comprises more than 200 ethnic instruments, including different sorts of flutes, ocarinas and instruments made of turtle shells, snail shells etc. In his expression, blues meets traditional Central American music and various other genres to astonishing effect. Over his long career, Marquez has performed around the world at different venues and festivals. 

Luiz Marquez (MEX) - saxophone, ethnic instruments
Jose Luiz Montiel (MEX) - vocals, Central-American string instruments
Jouni Isoherranen - bass
Kari Antila - guitar

Free entry!

Open event

Elojazz kicks off in Oulu!

20:00 Uusi Seurahuone: Opening Concert
Valtteri Laurell Pöyhönen Nonet feat. Antti Sarpila
28 €

Elojazz opens with the premiere of commissioned compositions series, "Tigers are Better Looking" by guitarist-composer Valtteri Laurell Pöyhönen. Based on the works of writer Jean Rhys, the music will be performed by a specially assembled nonet with long-standing clarinettist Antti Sarpila as the main soloist. 
(Antti Sarpila, clarinet / Jukka Eskola, trumpet / Timo Lassy, saxophone / Ville Vannemaa, saxophone / Petri Puolitaival, saxophone / Kasperi Sarikoski, trombone / Ville Herrala, bass / Jaska Lukkarinen, drums / Valtteri Pöyhönen, guitar)

22:30 Petrellin Saluuna: Southpaw Steel'n'Twang
Free entry

Southpaw Steel'n'Twang, led by steel guitarist Ville "Lefty" Leppänen, travels from country and blues to swing, jazz and prog rock.
(Ville Leppänen, guitars & vocals /JP Mönkkönen, bass / Tero Mikkonen, drums)

Open event