Jazz Finland Live

Tickets 25/17,50 €

Vapaat äänet agency, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this autumn, will bring to Sello Hall the fresh ALIBI trio of French pianist Pierre-François Blanchard. The first performer of the evening will be accordionist Veli Kujala with his exploration of the world of French chanson in his unique style.

Pierre-François Blanchard, who shone in the Poetic Ways group in April Jazz 2025, has built himself a reputation in France as a sensitive and soulful pianist. He became known in 2015 not only for his duo with singer Marion Rampal but also as accompanist to well-established singer and songwriter Pierre Barouhn. The sax legend Archie Shepp was also charmed by Blanchard's blues and invited him to play with his quartet in 2017. Blanchard published his debut album, #puzzled, as a duo with clarinettist Thomas Savy. It received the best jazz album award in France in 2024, and the duo has since been busy touring in Europe and Japan.

ALIBI, the pianist's recently established trio, continues the success story of the #puzzled duo with the addition of young cellist Adèle Viret. Viret, whose career is going from strength to strength, received the Victoire du Jazz award as the new entrant in 2025. Thomas Savy, an experienced musician, is the veteran in the band. These brilliant instrumentalists and creative artists representing three generations will perform music composed by Blanchard. The partners in crime in the enchanting ALIBI band will take us on a poetic journey to the heart of music.

"Veli Kujala is an exceptional musician, whatever way you measure it. When I first met young Veli, I knew straight away that he was an excellent accordionist, a first-class talent," says composer Osmo Tapio Räihälä.

Kujala, who completed his doctorate in music in 2010, has received a number of prizes in international competitions both as an accordionist and composer. His versatile compositions range from electro acoustic works to orchestral pieces, and he has performed with numerous orchestras. In May 2022, a performance in Hamlet by Brett Dean, an Australian composer, at New York Metropolitan Opera was added to his already impressive CV. However, this wizard of the accordion who has played with the Gourmet sextet since 1997 has also always remained open to jazz, improvisation and popular music.

Veli Kujala, who played the opening tunes at Juliette Gréco's concert in Huvilateltta in 2008, and his accordion will now treat the audience to masterly interpretations of chanson repertoire evergreens with a jazzy twist in Sello Hall.

Tour production: Vapaat äänet & Rivières souterraines
With support from: AJC, Adami, CNM, Spedidam
Partner: French Institute in Finland

Duration 2 h, incl. intermission

_{In 2026, it will be 100 years since jazz symbolically arrived in Finland with the ship Andania. The year thus marks a historic centenary celebration for Finnish jazz: Jazz in Finland 100. The anniversary highlights Finnish jazz and its artists both in Finland and abroad, celebrating jazz as part of Finland’s cultural heritage. The Jazz in Finland 100 campaign is coordinated by the Finnish Jazz Federation.}

Open event

Open event

Free entry

RSB – Roamin’ Street Band is an 11‑musician, two‑vocalist supergroup from the Pirkanmaa region, bringing the authentic jazz energy of the streets of New Orleans to events. The band’s captivating second-line street beat and swinging, cheerful sound sweep along even those audiences for whom jazz or blues wouldn’t normally be the first choice. At RSB’s shows, no one is left cold – get ready for a mood that will make your feet start dancing! 

RSB has created a recurring event in Tampere called Gumbo Club, where the band performs once a month for free at the Public House Huurre restaurant. On club nights, the venue serves spicy gumbo typical of the Mississippi Delta region, and local dancers take the floor with Lindy Hop and other dances that perfectly match the music.

_{In 2026, it will be 100 years since jazz symbolically arrived in Finland with the ship Andania. The year thus marks a historic centenary celebration for Finnish jazz: Jazz in Finland 100. The anniversary highlights Finnish jazz and its artists both in Finland and abroad, celebrating jazz as part of Finland’s cultural heritage. The Jazz in Finland 100 campaign is coordinated by the Finnish Jazz Federation.}

Open event

Get ready for a truly unique experience as the fearless, genre-defying visionary Becca Stevens joins forces with the UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra in these three concerts!

Singer-songwriter and guitarist Becca Stevens is a musical powerhouse. In her hands, folk, indie-pop, and jazz harmonies intertwine into a magical and hypnotic whole. Stevens' intimate compositions and layered rhythms will come to life like never before, reimagined through vibrant big band arrangements tailored specifically for this concert series and brought to the stage by UMO's masterful interpretation. Whether you are a passionate jazz enthusiast, a fan of indie-folk, or a seeker of larger-than-life musical experiences, this is a night you don't want to miss!

Conducted by Teemu Takanen.

_{In 2026, it will be 100 years since jazz symbolically arrived in Finland with the ship Andania. The year thus marks a historic centenary celebration for Finnish jazz: Jazz in Finland 100. The anniversary highlights Finnish jazz and its artists both in Finland and abroad, celebrating jazz as part of Finland’s cultural heritage. The Jazz in Finland 100 campaign is coordinated by the Finnish Jazz Federation.}

Open event