News -page consists of current topics and interesting articles about jazz in Finland.
Drummer-composer Jussi Lehtonen leads his star-studded group on a Finnish Jazz Federation tour around Finland on 20 February – 9 March. The quintet will be playing at Oulu's Vanha Paloasema, Helsinki's Malmitalo and Salo's Veturitalli, among other venues.
The New York-based jazz media has selected Raoul Björkenheim TRIAD's debut album Beyond among the best of 2017.
The 28th Oulu Music Festival takes place on 11 - 24 March 2018, and the festival will host international master classes now for the sixth time. Master classes in violin, cello and piano will be organised in week 11 and the pop/jazz master classes in week 12. The application deadline is 22 January.
The second single, Mopo’s new rendition of the classic tune “Niin aikaisin” (So soon, trad.), reveals the trio’s softer side. Mopo’s fourth album Mopocalypse will come out on We Jazz Records in January 2018 and the group will play the new disc in its entirety at We Jazz Festival tomorrow night on 9 December.
Finnish record label Eclipse Music releases the debut of Kaisa’s Machine on 7 December 2017. This young quartet, led by double-bassist Kaisa Mäensivu, is composed of some of the most interesting upcoming young musicians in the Finnish jazz scene. Mikael Myrskog on piano, Max Zenger on alto saxophone, Jonatan Sarikoski on drums with Kaisa Mäensivu on bass are responsible for the sizzlingly energetic sound of the album. The disc comprises a landscape of beautiful melodies, fascinating harmonic colours and fiery solos from all the band members.
Sointi Jazz Orchestra released their Tiernapojat (Star Boys) Christmas album that is a new take on the traditional Nordic play. In early December the big band takes the touring play on tour.
TUJA is an acronym for Tudengijazz. Tudengijazz (Student jazz) is one of the oldest and most unique international festivals in Estonia. It was established in 1982. Tudengijazz is dedicated to jazz music students and their fresh ideas. The festival brings together young musicians from all over Estonia and other European countries to play and share their music. Since 2011 Tudengijazz is organised by the Estonian Jazz Union. Apply now to play at the festival in Tallin and other Estonian cities in March 6 - 10, 2018: http://www.tudengijazz.ee/registration-2018/
Club series Tuokio, organised by the Study Centre Sivis since 2000, has come to its end. The last edition of the club series will take place on 21 November, seeing a great number of artists from over the years take to the stage at Tenho Restobar, Helsinki.
Italo-American trio Hobby Horse gives a show at Bar Ö on Friday 17 November as a part of the Flame Jazz concert series. Be prepared for an interesting and original concoction of acoustic and electronic elements.
As has been the tradition, Sami tradition meets jazz at Kaamosjazz Festival in Saariselkä. This year’s festival stars the popular names of Sami music, Ulla Pirttijärvi-Länsman & Ulda and Niillas Holmberg with Roope Mäenpää. Sami music can be enjoyed in nine concerts altogether.
