Jazz Finland Live
Josefiina Vannesluoma – vocals, Riikka Keränen – vocals, Selma Savolainen – vocals, Kaisa Mäensivu – double bass and vocals
Signe delights us with their strong presence, powerful soloistic interpretations, and highly original compositions. The ensemble’s unique musical style has been pushing the boundaries of jazz, contemporary classical and popular music since 2014. With their new trilogy titled Onomatopoesia, Signe explores the uncharted landscapes of the human voice. The three-album composition is a study on sensitisation, as well as the need for attachment and settlement in our ever-changing environment. The albums’ lyrical content and vocalisations evolve from the smallest components of language, phonemes, into syllables and words. The second part of the trilogy, Morphemes, was nominated for an EMMA Award in spring 2023. The evolution of the trilogy culminates in the use of composed lyrics in the album Syntax, released in spring 2023
Photo: Venla Helenius
Gigs on the same day in helsinki
Jazz-Espa: Ida Alanen TrioEspan lava, helsinki31.7. At 13:00
Ida Alanen – piano and compositions, Jonathan Bäckström – double bass, Benjamin Nylund – drums
Ida Alanen Trio’s music draws inspiration from visual forms and the borderline between sleep and awakeness, inviting images from the subconscious into broad daylight. The trio’s seamless sound is a result of three years of collaboration, and the ensemble alternates effortlessly between carefully orchestrated compositions and free improvisations. The ensemble’s leader Ida Alanen is currently enrolled in the Master’s Degree Programme at the Amsterdam Conservatorium, studying under Harmen Fraanje. Originally based in Helsinki, the trio now tours both in Finland and internationally. Their Jazz-Espa concert will feature material from the trio’s debut album, set to release in autumn 2023.
Photo: Milena Törmi
Jazz-Espa: VALTTERI LAURELL NONET FEAT. ANTTI SARPILAEspan lava, helsinki31.7. At 17:30
Valtteri Laurell Pöyhönen – compositions, electric guitar, Antti Sarpila – clarinet, Jukka Eskola – trumpet, flugelhorn, Petri Puolitaival – alto saxophone, flute, Jussi Kannaste – tenor saxophone, Antti Rissanen – trombone, Ville Vannemaa – baritone saxophone, bass clarinet, Jori Huhtala – double bass, Jaska Lukkarinen – drums
Valtteri Laurell Nonet plays contemporary, intimate jazz music, which draws from the early 1960s concepts of cool jazz and Third Stream. Although each member of this all-stars line-up gets to share the spotlight, the focus is firmly on clarinettist Antti Sarpila’s timeless and soulful musical expression. The composer portrait concert’s theme revolves around the somewhat obscure British-Caribbean authoress Jean Rhys. The melancholy and vivid literary landscape of her short stories and her only published novel Wide Sargasso Sea has provided Valtteri Pöyhönen with abundant inspiration to compose atmospheric and wistful jazz music with occasional glimpses of light.
The Helsinki-based We Jazz Records released the ensemble’s debut album Tigers Are Better Looking in early 2023.
Photo: Miikka Pirinen
