Jazz Finland Live
Jazz-Espa: Selma Savolainen Horror Vacui,Espan lava, helsinki29.7. At 17:30
Jazz-Espa is an urban festival produced by the Finnish Jazz Federation, focusing on Finnish jazz music. The event presents a diverse and contemporary selection of top names in Finnish jazz as well as young promising talents to a broad audience.
Winner of the 2023 Jazz Emma Award, Selma Savolainen brings her band Horror Vacui to Jazz-Espa. Known for her adventurous approach to music and impressive vocal abilities, Savolainen has been praised in Helsingin Sanomat for elevating Finnish vocal jazz to new heights. Her English-language compositions blend elements of modern jazz with alternative singer-songwriter styles.
The British label Whirlwind Recordings released the debut album "Horror Vacui" in May 2023. Savolainen composed and arranged the music specifically for the sextet of musicians. In reference to the name of the album, the songs explore the fear of emptiness, letting go, and unexpected discoveries.
Selma Savolainen – vocals
Tomi Nikku – trumpet
Max Zenger – clarinets
Toomas Keski-Säntti – piano
Eero Tikkanen – bass
Okko Saastamoinen – drums
Picture: Severi Uusitalo
Gigs on the same day in helsinki
Jazz-Espa: Juho Valjakka TrioEspan lava, helsinki29.7. At 16:00
Jazz-Espa is an urban festival produced by the Finnish Jazz Federation, focusing on Finnish jazz music. The event presents a diverse and contemporary selection of top names in Finnish jazz as well as young promising talents to a broad audience.
Pianist Juho Valjakka formed his first piano trio in 2010, and since then, he has focused on the trio format in his artistic work. The current lineup, established in 2018 with bassist Oskari Siirtola and drummer Anssi Tirkkonen, represents Valjakka's current vision of the piano trio, drawing from its history while reaching towards the future. The band released their debut album, "Liminal Spaces" (Artie Music), in May 2022, which was later nominated for an Emma Award in the Jazz category.
Juho Valjakka – piano
Oskari Siirtola – bass
Anssi Tirkkonen – drums
Picture: Teemu Mattsson
Tickets 7€
Baba Ganoush Orkestra is a five-piece ensemble that delivers horn-driven, spicy instrumental music. The band's own nuanced blend of melodic jazz and rock is seasoned with a variety of world music influences, ranging from funky afrobeat to lively polka, marinated in flavors reminiscent of hummus, tahini, or sour cream.
The band released its second EP Durian Durian in May 2024, and which has received many positive reviews.
