Jazz Finland Live

Tickets 10 €

Eva Vikman is a bright singer and an award-winning songwriter whose music combines depth, gentleness and swing. Vikman's songs take the spectrum of life to the deep end gently and hopefully, without forgetting the twinkle in the corner of the eye. The warm swinging music moves from the interfaces of pop, jazz and pop to disco and bossa nova. In addition to Vikman's own production, the gig will also feature beloved pop and hit songs arranged with jazz tones. Pianist Erkki Rännäli, who is a professional classical piano player, is responsible for the accompaniment. Over the years, Rännäli's classical skills have been supplemented with jazz.

Tickets: 10 € go to jazz musicians in full. By participating, you will continue to devour culture in Toivo. The cafe-restaurant serves both meals and alcohol. A warm welcome to the swing!

Open event

The duo performances of Vincent Courtois and Éric-Maria Couturier have become a must-listen for music lovers over genres. On September 20-22 these two French masters will continue their cello explorations with a journey of three concerts in Latvia, Estonia and Finland. They will start at Cello Cēsis festival, perform in Tallinn at Kumu Museun for Jazzkaar’s Autumn Season, and finish with a concert in Helsinki co-organised by Hietsu is Happening! and Helsinki Jazz.

Vincent Courtois and Éric-Maria Couturier have more than just their classical cello education in common, they also share a passion for adventure. While for many years Vincent Courtois has been searching for adventure in jazz and improvisation, Couturier’s favourite world is that of notated contemporary music. Together they are venturing into fully improvised concerts. A must-listen for anyone who likes to experience the explorative flow of two outstanding cellists engaged in a fascinating dialog.

They performed their first duo concert at Les Ateliers du violoncelle in Paris in March 2022. After that, they have played at the Opéra de Lyon, the Musée des Invalides, Radio France and in Italy at Castel Cello festival. In 2024, after their Baltic tour in September they will perform at the Amsterdam Cello Biennale on November 3.

Photo: Jeff Humbert

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Free entry

Bäckström/Friman/Jensen (BFJ) is an acoustic jazz trio with members from Finland/Denmark. The group consists of emerging musicians: Finnish bassist Jonathan Bäckström and guitarist Lassi Friman and Danish drummer Jens Emil Jensen. The trio has previously performed in Finland and recently toured in Denmark.

The trio's energetic interplay, dance-like sense of rhythm and emphasis on storytelling makes a convincing musical statement. Their upcoming debut album consists of repertoire from each member of the trio and the music has a strong collective feel. The group takes inspiration from late -50s post/hard bop, contemporary groovy jazz, not being afraid to experiment and push the limits of these genres. It is a group effort that pays homage to the music of yesterday while reaching for tomorrow.

Open event

Saxophonist Adele Sauros’ quartet will be performing in seven locations across Finland this September. Following the release of their latest album, the group embarked on an extensive international tour in the spring of 2024, and their ensemble playing is at its highest level ever.

The Adele Sauros Quartet was founded in 2012 and has performed at the most significant jazz festivals in both Finland and the Nordic countries. Combining styles from Nordic and American jazz, the quartet is heading on a Jazz Federation tour, presenting material from their new album. The tour begins in Kotka on September 16th, followed by performances in Helsinki, Joensuu, Savonlinna, Riihimäki, Oulu, and Mäntsälä.

The Adele Sauros Quartet’s fourth album, Your Special Loss, was released in March 2024 by the Spanish record label Fresh Sound Records. The band’s album release tours have extended beyond Finland to Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and Spain. The album features compositions by Adele Sauros that explore themes of recovery and finding hope. The melodic and serious compositions draw influences from both Nordic and American jazz.

Saxophonist Adele Sauros is one of the most active jazz musicians and composers in Finland and Europe today. Sauros believes that music can change the world, especially when creating art on one’s own terms, as her quartet does. The band’s members are virtuosic jazz musicians with open minds, courage to break from conventions, and a readiness to dive into spontaneous improvisation.

Sauros and her band are eagerly looking forward to the September tour after their summer break from performing.

“We can’t wait for the Jazz Federation tour, especially after a small break over the summer when all of our summer gigs had to be canceled due to my broken wrist,” Sauros says.

Jazz – heard and seen!

Finnish Jazz Federation’s essential form of operation is national touring. The annual touring activities enable approximately 100 concerts in 40 different locations all over Finland. The concerts mainly take place in their member organizations. Tours include both in-house productions and collaborations with external producers.

Open event