News -page consists of current topics and interesting articles about jazz in Finland.
Life after Jazzahead – is there any? For the remainder of the year, Jazz Finland International follows the bands and delegates aiming to the international markets. The series starts off with the instrumental trio VIRTA, who performed at Jazzahead in 2017, both as part of Finnish Night showcases and the Clubnight at Papp. This year the band took the stage as part of the Clubnight programme.
Turku Jazz Orchestra goes to the Baltic Sea with charismatic vocalist Mikael Konttinen. On the last weekend of May the Viking Grace cruise will definitely give a brisk start for the summer in a style of Las Vegas!
Jazz Finland and Estonian Jazz Union are launching a new annual band competition for young jazz musicians. The winner will be rewarded with two festival gigs in Finland and Estonia next spring. FinEst Jazz Rally is an international contest where – while fighting for the championship – the bands and the audience get to know the up-and-coming musicians and jazz traditions of both countries. The application period has now been extended to September 15!
UMO launches a crowdfunding to save the orchestra from its economic problems.
Guitarist Tuomas Paukku releases his second album, the first one with the Scription ensemble. Eclipse Music releases Tuomas Paukku Scription on 4th May.
Guitarist Heikki Ruokangas continues in the spirit of the album Monologues but this time with another Oulu-based guitarist Henrik Hako-Rita. Eclipse Music releases the new album Mono and Dialogues on the 4th of May.
This summer Elojazz celebrates its thirtieth anniversary from the 1st to 5th of August. Spreading all around Oulu, this year the festival kicks off already on Wednesday with a club concert. The official opening concert takes place at the Tuira church on Thursday and on the weekend we see the main concerts traditionally at Rauhala patio and Prunnitori. The festival comes to end with the Big band ball at Rotuaari on Sunday. The anniversary year is launched already on this Friday 27.4. with a pre-club starring DJ Pappa Wolf, Oulu Youth Jazz Orchestra and Sarkkinen-Hiltula-Ohenoja trio at Tuba and Voimala 1889.
Validi Karkia Weekend presents three record release concerts from internationally distinguished Finnish bands.
Berlin-based Swedish saxophonist Otis Sandsjö’s debut, Y-OTIS, is produced by bassist Frans Petter Eldh, who is known for Amok Amor and has recently raised his profile as a producer. The first single YUNG was released last Friday and it is a weirdly groovy electroacoustic “liquid jazz” treat. The full-length album is set to release on 1st of June.
Internationally distinguished bassist Michael Manring has been breaking down barriers with his bass playing over three decades. Manring’s innovative and individual style has strongly influenced many present bassists and guitarists both musically and technically.
