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.

Fri 5th of August at 4pm Alder Ego

Jarno Tikka – sax, Tomi Nikku – tr, Teemu Åkerblom – b, Joonas Leppänen – dr

Alder Ego’s fearless music surfs along the coastline of Leppänen’s compositions and takes swoops in the open ocean of free jazz. The quartet consists of young improv talents and Leppänen has opened the band a broad musical horizon after his years in Berlin and Gothenburg. The music seeks to address bigger pictures and it could be described as communicative, narrative chamber jazz.

Fri 5th of August at 5.30pm Sigurdur Rögnvaldsson´s Dark Forest

Sigurdur Rögnvaldsson – g, Johannes Sarjasto – sax, Eero Tikkanen – b, Ville Pynssi – dr

Dark Forest is a concept band, founded by Sigurdur Rögnvaldsson in 2013 to acquire complete artistic freedom to lead his own group and compose all the music. In October 2015 the band released their debut album Kisima on Sigurdur’s own label. Dark Forest invites the listeners to a journey of atmospheric and progressive jazz with playful rhythms and catchy melodies.

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: