Jazz Finland Live

Olli Ahvenlahti, who has had an exceptionally extensive and versatile career in Finnish music, turned 75 this year and is celebrating it with a national concert tour organized by the Finnish Jazz Federation from October 8th to 13th. The tour will feature the new Olli Ahvenlahti New Quintet – The Poet Vol. 2, performing jazz-funk compositions from Ahvenlahti’s Mirror Mirror album, which was released in the spring of 2024. The tour begins in Joensuu on October 8th, followed by stops in Kuopio, Lahti, Savonlinna, Raahe, and Tornio.

Pianist Olli Ahvenlahti’s new Mirror Mirror album was inspired by his 1976 release The Poet, particularly by the enduring piece Granma’s Rocking Chair. The album consists of Ahvenlahti’s latest compositions, specifically tailored for his new ensemble, made up of top active musicians. The music is rhythmically tight and the melodies catchy, with Ahvenlahti’s Fender Rhodes piano playing a crucial role in shaping the band’s sound. The Mirror Mirror album, released by the We Jazz label, had its album release concert at the April Jazz Festival last April, and the band has since performed at various venues, including the Pori Jazz Festival.

Olli Ahvenlahti eagerly anticipates the tour concerts and the opportunity to connect with jazz fans across Finland.

– “It’s truly great to have the chance to perform the music from the new album in multiple cities across Finland. The concerts will feature electric jazz-funk – much like the style of The Poet album from long ago,” says Ahvenlahti.

Olli Ahvenlahti has been an influential figure in the Finnish music scene since the 1970s. As a pianist, composer, arranger, conductor, and even a television performer, Ahvenlahti’s diverse body of work includes not only solo albums but also music for films, theater, and TV series.

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