Jazz Finland Live
Jazz-Espa: Sonja Virtanen Quartet,Espan lava, helsinki3.8. At 12:00
Sonja Virtanen – alto sax, Markus Tiiro – gtr, Timo Tuppurainen – db, Kimmo Salminen – drs
Saxophonist Sonja Virtanen brought out her debut album Vim and Vigor this spring with her quartet. Their stylistically rich repertory consists of hard bop and soul jazz numbers, which are tackled by the experienced four musicians with a sure-handed ease and flow. Strong groove and smooth melodies – Virtanen’s trademarks – take the listener from the 1950s New York to the vastness of Nordic expanses.
Gigs on the same day in helsinki
Pauli Lyytinen – sax, Artturi Rönkä – p, Janne Tuovinen – db, Anssi Tirkkonen – drs
Jean Erik is a new group led by Finnish bassist Janne Tuovinen. Their repertory consists of Tuovinen’s originals that allow the musicians to throw themselves into compelling riffs and explosive collective improvisation. Tuovinen has assembled his favourite musicians to interpret his compositions, also challenging them to let go of the conventional roles of their instruments.
Jazz-Espa: Haarla-Orma-Takamäki-VesalaEspan lava, helsinki3.8. At 17:30
Iro Haarla – p, comp, Jukka Orma – el. gtr, Jone Takamäki – ten. sax, Aniida Vesala – drs
Iro Haarla is an awarded and respected pianist-harpist-composer, who has made a long and impressive career in the field of Finnish jazz. In addition to the veteran guitarist Jukka Orma and masterful saxophonist Jone Takamäki, she now presents in her new group the promising young drummer Aniida Vesala. A nuanced and rich sonic world twines around their memorable melodies, opening toward both raw, black rhythms and steep, heart-rending infinities.
