News -page consists of current topics and interesting articles about jazz in Finland.
Inspired by Finnish poems, vocalist Mirja Mäkelä’s trio released their new album My Hidden Joys in October 2015. Now the group plays the new material in an album-launch concert as a part of the Rytmihäiriöklubi club series, at Helsinki’s Juttutupa.
The anniversary year sees the Finnish Jazz Federation present a comprehensive history, a star-studded Anniversary Orchestra and a touring art exhibition.
A strong young voice on the Finnish Jazz field, trombonist Kasperi Sarikoski's quintet goes on their first Finnish Jazz Federation tour on 19 - 30 January.
Established last autumn, Kuopio Music Gear kicks off their first spring season confidently with Hans Olding – Jaska Lukkarinen Trio’s concert on 15 January. Kuopio’s Satamankulma will again play host to a series of jazz concerts, seeing the likes of Kasperi Sarikoski & Nuance, Pepa Päivinen & Good Romans and Fifth Avenue take the stage over the spring.
Turku Jazz Orchestra launched a composition competition for jazz composers based in Southwest Finland last autumn. Now four works from three local composers have been selected to be performed in the final concert, organised at Turku’s Logomo in early February.
Oku, the third recording by pianist Joonas Haavisto’s trio, comes out on 8 January on Fredriksson Music. The release will be followed by a tour in Finland and, later in the spring, Japan.
Turku Jazz Orchestra’s spring season spotlights local composers in the finals of the TJO Big Band Composition Competition and sees two acclaimed Finnish jazz artists, saxophonist Timo Lassy and vocalist Aili Ikonen, front the big band in two concerts. Also, the Big Band School will expand its education activities.
Folk/jazz groupVilma Timonen Quartet, who released their third album in November 2015, has head to Nepal on a tour from 31 December 2015 to 9 January 2016. The recording has met with a positive response in both Finnish and international media.
Steve Gadd, one of the most influential drummers of all time, is to perform in Finland twice towards the end of January with his trio Blicher/Hemmer/Gadd. The group will play live at Koko Jazz Club on Friday 29 January and star the Flame Jazz Cruise, casting off on Saturday 30 January.
The president has granted master of music Kaija Viitasalo the honorary title of Music Counsellor (fin. “musiikkineuvos”) on 11 December 2015. Viitasalo’s achievements as an award-winning choral conductor, pioneering figure in the field of women’s choral music and versatile music pedagogue were seen strongly in her favour.
