Jazz Finland Live

Billy Cobham, one of the best fusion drummers of all time, has left his mark on the earliest recordings of fusion music, such as the pioneering albums of Miles Davis and the Mahavishnu Orchestra, as well as Cobham's debut album Spectrum. In this concert, Cobham will perform his best-known songs from his distinguished career.

Cobham last visited April Jazz in 2005 performing as a soloist of Espoo Big Band. Material filmed at the concert is included in the film Sonic Mirror (2008) directed by Mika Kaurismäki.

Billy Cobham was born in Panama where he grew fond of percussion from watching his cousin play. At age three, his family moved to New York City and at age eight Billy made his percussion performance debut with his father. After graduating Billy served as a percussionist in the U.S. Army National band. He then played as a drummer in pianist Horace Silver's band and toured the U.S. with him throughout the late 1960s. He then left to partake in Miles Davis' fusion ensemble. Eventually Cobham parted ways from Davis' group to work with the Mahavishnu Orchestra, where he was able to further explore his technique and fusion style which influenced many for years to come. After deciding to part ways with the Orchestra, Cobham started his own band, Spectrum and signed with Atlantic Records. Spectrum's debut album featured a mix of jazz, funk and rock that allowed Cobham to further experiment with percussion.

In 2001 Cobham was named one of the 25 Most Influential Drummers by Modern Drummer magazine. He has also been inducted into the magazine’s Hall of Fame. Cobham's career has continued successfully and productively since the 1960s. He acted as a role model for countless drummers and percussionists, not only as a developer of technique and style, but also by showing how important it is to enjoy playing.

Billy Cobham, drums (PA/US)
Camelia Ben Naceur, keyboards (FR)
Emilio Garcia, guitar (CL)
Victor Cisternas, bass (CL)
Steve Hamilton, keyboards (GB)

Tickets €45/39 + order fee (from €1,50), Lippu.fi
Duration approx. 1h 30min, no intermission

Open event

PoiL Ueda - Dan No Ura

This is a meeting and a musical creation between the French contemporary electro rock music band of PoiL and the Japanese traditional music singer and satsuma-biwa player Junko Ueda. The theme of the creation is around the Japanese epic story ‘Heike-Monogatari’ from the13th century.

The composition is accompanied by the satsuma-biwa and Buddhist Shomyo chant. A new experience where the unbridled experimental rock of PoiL mixes with the calm and sinuous voice, the narrative force and the great charisma of Junko Ueda.

Antoine Arnera, keys (FR)
Boris Cassone, guitar (FR)
Ben Lecomte, bass (FR)
Guilhem Meier, drums, percussion (FR)
Junko Ueda, vocals, satsuma biwa (JP)

Aurora Hentunen Quintet

In the span of few years, Aurora Hentunen Quartet has risen to the top of Nordic jazz music and is one of the most interesting contemporary Finnish jazz bands. Aurora Hentunen’s music draws inspiration from jazz and folk music, Northern nature and different cultures. Established in 2017 as a quartet, the band has since grown into a quintet and is about to release their third album this spring.

Aurora Hentunen, piano, keys
Joona Kilponen, trumpet
Ukko Heinonen, tenor saxophone
Veli-Matti Silanterä, bass
Ville Luukkonen, drums

Tickets 29/24 € + booking fee (from 1,50 €), Lippu.fi
Duration approx. 2h 45min, incl. intermission

7:30PM doors
8Pm Aurora Hentunen Quintet
intermission
9:30PM PoiL Ueda

Open event

Free entry

Welcome to International Jazz Day pre-event at bar Ö!

On stage Turku Jazz Festival's artist of the year, trumpeter Mikko ”Gunu” Karjalainen and one of the top names in Finnish jazz scene, pianist Jussi Fredriksson. Live music is provided by Archipelago Sea Jazz – a series of four festivals, inviting you to enjoy the unique atmosphere of the Baltic Sea archipelago with top class music!

Open event