Jazz Finland Live

Established in 2010 and based in Helsinki, the group plays recognizably Scandinavian jazz but draws influences from Indian and Arabic music as well as Cuban rhythms, thus creating a distinctive overall sound. Kokko Quartet performs songs written by pianist Johanna Pitkänen, saxophone player Kaisa Siirala and bass player Timo Tuppurainen. Together with drummer Risto Takala, these four musicians share an interest in free expression, jazz and world music. Intuitively, they move through the music with a spirit of great freedom in their interplay. The group’s debut album Like a River was released in March 2013. It was well received by both the national and the international press. Kokko Quartet was invited to play a showcase in Jazzahead! 2013 and since then they have played at major jazz festivals including Bohemia Jazz in Czech and Pori Jazz in Finland. In December 2015 they did a large tour of Australia.

“…The music flows gently and smoothly, breaking boundaries between different musical genres. In a sensuous and subtle way, elements of jazz unite the Scandinavian influences...as well as Indian, Arabic and Cuban atmosphere…”Kaisa Siirala, saxophones and flutes
Johanna Pitkänen, piano and keys
Timo Tuppurainen, bass
Risto Takala, drums

- Osku Rajala/Jazzrytmit, a Finnish Jazz Magazine

Kokko Quartet will release their second album Orient Express in August 2016. It carries on from the road paved by their first album Like A River (2013) - the sound of the Scandinavian jazz landscape combined elegantly with global ingredients. With a diverse range of musical influences and instruments, Orient Express tells many stories from the past and present reaching out to the orient. It also dives deep into the legends and myths of the Finnish national epic Kalevala as the band’s name Kokko suggests. Closing your eyes you will find yourself in a world where camels amble through the desert yet suddenly the orient express honks its two-voiced horn in the dark tropical night. You can also hear the Kalevala characters ’smith’ Ilmarinen hammering and ’water spirit’ Vellamo working on her magic – just like in mythical times.

The concert is supported by City of Helsinki Cultural Office and The Finnish Music Foundation (MES).

Tickets (only cash): Adults 15 €, pensioner, unemployed, members of Helsinki Jazz ry: 10 €, couples: 10+10€, students: 8 €. Tickets in advance from Digelius Music (www.digelius.com) of from liveto.fi, where ticket prices are: 16,5/11/8,8 €.

Restaurant Laulumiehet, Hietaniemenkatu 2, 00100 Helsinki

Open event

The Aki Rissanen Trio ranks among the finest units in Finnish jazz right now. Their recent album “Amorandom”, released by the UK based label Edition Records, is a rock solid winner.

Aki Rissanen, p / Antti Lötjönen, b / Teppo Mäkynen, dr

Tickets 23 € (incl. cloakroom service)
Doors: 18:00
Showtime: 19:00

Open event

The travelling club series Tuokio sees a special, one-off outfit Liikemiehet give six concerts around Finland. Tuokio is a concept that combines elements of concert tour and public discussion and is produced by the Sivis Study Centre.

Liikemiehet (The Businessmen in English) are a brand new group that dresses impeccably and conveys a general feeling of up-tightness. In addition to playing musical instruments, this concert concept will also take them out of their comfort zone, to the realm of dance, however. How will they pull off playing music and Hanna Brotherus’s choreography – will this bunch of professional musicians turn out to be pro at dancing, too?

The show came into being when cultural designer Oskari Mänttäri of Adult Learning Centre Sivis tackled the concept of play and playing and how it could be adapted to adult life. To play is to approach everyday phenomena creatively and to throw oneself into something new without the fear of failure or embarrassment.

The concert is suitable for all ages, but the target group is especially those adults who have been estranged from the world of play. The aim is to encourage everyone to incorporate play into both working life and leisure time.

Jukka Perko - saxophone and play
Felix Zenger - beatbox and play
Esko Järvelä - violin and play
Jouko Kyhälä - harmonica and play
Oskari Mänttäri - hosting, play and production
Hanna Brotherus - choreography

Free entry!

Open event