April Jazz: Nomfusi,Espoon kulttuurikeskus, espoo26.4. At 18:00
Nomfusi
The essence of Mama Africa meets the spirit of Township music and Afro-Soul in a pint-sized package of a striking, gigantic voice and tons of charm.
Nomfusi is a self-taught singer-songwriter, whose music incorporates afropop, afrosoul, gospel and ballads with maskandi guitars and groovy South African township rhythms. As a young girl, Nomfusi used to accompany her mother to weekly sangoma rituals, where she developed interest in music, singing and dancing. She is now revered across the world for her joyful and energetic stage performances. The tiny singer transforms into a packet of dynamite the moment she holds a microphone.
Nomfusi can go to this place where music becomes much more than what we hear. She can touch your soul by letting down her own guards and just sings from the heart - pure gold. With “The Red Stoep" , her new album released in 2021, Nomfusi invites everyone to experience the stories of her African heritage through the music.
As the preserver of her mother tongue Xhosa, which gives the songs an exotic touch through the special clicking noises when pronouncing them, she consciously writes the lyrics to her songs in English and Xhosa.
She has performed across Europe and Canada at prestigious festivals including WOMAD, FMM Sines, Lugano Jazz, Stimmen and Afrikadey and shared stages with big stars like Angelique Kidjo, Hugh Masekela and Lionel Richie.
Nomfusi Ngonyama, vocals (ZA)
Mark Williams, guitar (ZA)
Sebastian Gieck, bass (DE)
Klaus Brennsteiner, drums (AT)
John Amoako, keys (GH)
Tickets 45/40 € + order fees (from 1,50 €), Lippu.fi
Duration approx. 1h 30min, no intermission
Tapiola Hall, Espoo Cultural Centre
Kulttuuriaukio 2, 02100 Espoo (Google Maps / HSL Journey Planner)
April Jazz: JatkojamitOriginal Sokos Hotel Tapiola Garden, espoo26.4. At 21:00
After the concerts at Espoo Cultural Centre join us at the official afterparty jam session at Original Sokos Hotel Tapiola Garden! Jam sessions hosted by April Jazz Houseband.
Free entry!
April Jazz Houseband
Manuel Dunkel, Jam Host, tenor saxophone (25.-26.4. klo 22 ->)
Mirja Mäkelä, vocal (25.-26.4.)
Tuomo Dahlblom, guitar (24.-26.4.) / Sami Linna, guitar (27.7.)
Markus Niittynen, piano
Joonas Tuuri, bass (24.-26.4.) / Filemon Von Numers, bass (27.4.)
Rami Eskelinen, drums
April Jazz: F-Musiikki StageEspoon kulttuurikeskus, espoo26.4. At 17:50
Luova Prosessi
kirsikka-alisa
Young musicians playing on the F-Musiikki Stage at the lobby of Espoo Cultural Centre from Wednesday to Saturday. Free entry!
Pop/Jazz Konservatorio
klo 17.50 –18.00 Luova Prosessi
klo 19.15 – 20.00 kirsikka-alisa
James Brandon Lewis Quartet, Orchestra Nazionale Della LunaEspoon kulttuurikeskus, espoo26.4. At 20:00
James Brandon Lewis Quartet
Orchestra Nazionale Della Luna
7:30pm doors
8pm Orchestra Nazionale Della Luna
approx. 9pm intermission
approx. 9:30pm James Brandon Lewis Quartet
Tickets €36/31 + order fees (from €1.50), Lippu.fi
Duration approx. 2h 45min with intermission
Louhi Hall, Espoo Cultural Centre
Kulttuuriaukio 2, 02100 Espoo (Google Maps / HSL Journey Planner)
Endorsed by giants like Sonny Rollins, the charismatic saxophonist and composer James Brandon Lewis is currently one of the most recognized musicians on the international contemporary jazz scene. The band’s two widely acclaimed albums, Molecular (2020) and Code of Being (2022), will be followed their third album Transfiguration, to be released in February. Just in time for their first visit to Finland!
“When I listen to you, I listen to Buddha, I listen to Confucius… I listen to the deeper meaning of life. You are keeping the world in balance.” – Sonny Rollins
In recent years, James Brandon Lewis has been chosen as the most promising tenor saxophonist in an international critics’ poll by Downbeat magazine, and the best saxophonist by the American Jazz Journalists Association. The saxophonist has balanced deep gospel-inspired spirituality with the wildness of free jazz and a strong foundation of funk and hip-hop, making him a magnificent extension of the legacies of Ornette Coleman and John Coltrane.
As a group, the four exceptional musicians, create an urgent ensemble sound, moving through a broad palette of sound-colours, rhythms and moods, charged with energy.
James Brandon Lewis, saxophone(US)
Aruán Ortiz, piano (CU)
Brad Jones, bass (US)
Chad Taylor, drums (US)
Founded by its chief conductors Manuel Hermia and Kari Ikonen in 2015, Orchestra Nazionale della Luna has quickly become one of the most important orchestras on the Moon. Its diverse and highly original repertoire, as well as its inventive and energetic way of playing is fascinating lunatics and music lovers all over the Moon and even on Earth. Their third album is observing Earth's problems in the eyes of Selene, the goddess of the Moon. Selene’s View will be released this spring by highly renowned label BMC, and in April the orchestra lands on Earth again, for the pleasure and distraction of jazz lovers!
“Those who believe that everything has been said about the sax-piano-bass-drums quartet have not yet heard Orchestra Nazionale Della Luna: these four will shake their ears!”
– Jean-Pierre Goffin, Jazzhalo (BE)
Manuel Hermia, saxophones, flute & bansouri (BE)
Kari Ikonen, piano & moog synthesizer (FI)
Sébastien Boisseau, double bass (FR)
Teun Verbruggen, drums (BE)
