Jazz Finland Live

UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra pays homage to Dizzy Gillespie’s (1917–1993) vast musical heritage in this concert. The programme consists of the virtuoso trumpeter’s most famous compositions and best-loved jazz standards. The soloists of the evening are members of UMO Helsinki’s trumpet section and the orchestra is led by conductor Mikko Hassinen.

Dizzy Gillespie played with UMO as a guest star at Helsingin Kulttuuritalo (Helsinki House of Culture) in 1982. On top of the successful concert, in the press conference, Gillespie said some very kind words of the Finnish big band: “This is the best orchestra I’ve conducted for years.”

John Birks “Dizzy” Gillespie is widely considered one of the very best jazz trumpeters of all times. He played a key role in the beginnings of jazz and bebop with his contemporaries Charlie Parker, Miles Davis and John Coltrane. In addition to being a virtuoso trumpeter, Dizzy Gillespie is also regarded as a skilful big band composer and arranger. Most jazz lovers are familiar with his tunes Night in Tunisia, Manteca and Salt Peanuts.

Tickets from Lippu.fi including service fee:
Normal price 20 €
Retirees 15 €
Students, kids, servicemen 10 €

Open event

Open event

Wed 13.11. at 7pm
Restaurant Gusto RunIn, Satamakatu 13b 
Tickets at the door: 10/15€ 
Organizer: Kuopio Jazz & Blues

Pianist Riitta Paakki’s most recent quartet brings together various styles and distictive sounds of four Finnish top musicians. Manuel Dunkel’s tenor sax compliments Paakki’s playing in the most sensitive way, and the heavy-hitting rhythm section of Kaisa Mäensivu’s bass and Joonas Riippa’s drums gives a solid cornerstone to Paakki’s hard-bop-influenced compositions. The quartet recorded its first album Live at Koko Jazz Club in January 2018, and it was released by Koko Records in August 2018.

The written music gives plenty of room for interaction between the musicians, and together the band members create an expressive and joyful experience that is best enjoyed live. Occasionally they throw in some rare gems of the 60’s hard-bop era, and play them with some kind of a time-and-space distorting magic. 

The band’s regular bassist and bandleader Riitta Paakki’s long-term collaborate Antti Lötjönen will step this one out to go on paternity leave, but his replacement, New York -based bassist Kaisa Mäensivu does not pale in comparison. 

Riitta Paakki Quartet
Riitta Paakki – piano, Manuel Dunkel – tenor saxophone, Antti Lötjönen – bass, Joonas Riippa – drums

Tour Dates:
Tue 5.11. Seinäjoki, Hotelli Alma
Wed 6.11. Oulu, Vanha Paloasema Bar
Thu 7.11. Tornio, Musiikkitalo
Fri 8.11. Iisalmi, Koko Jazz Club, Raatihuone
Sat 9.11. Joensuu, Botania
Mon 11.11. Kotka, Ravintola Kairo
Wed 13.11. Kuopio, Ravintola Gusto RunIn
Thu 14.11. Helsinki, Koko Jazz Club
Fri 15.11. Porvoo Jazz Festival Club, Vanha 123
Sat 16.11. Turku, Flame Jazz Club, Main Library, Tieto-osasto, 2 krs: Record listening session and concert

The tour is produced by Jazz Finland.

Open event