News -page consists of current topics and interesting articles about jazz in Finland.
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.
Released this autumn, UMO Jazz Orchestra and sax legend Michael Brecker’s collaboration album 'Live in Helsinki' 1995 has hit the jackpot with jazz critics. Especially in the U.S., the album has been noted – with special warmth: Down Beat – the Bible for any fan of jazz – rewarded the album with 4 ½ stars out of 5 in their January issue, and JazzTimes has only positive things to say about this “stellar archival find”.
The best party of the New Year’s Eve takes place in Savoy Theatre this year when the jazz/funk/afrobeat/ powerball Helsinki-Cotonou Ensemble takes the stage. This success story began when a group of Finns went to Benin and joined forces with local virtuoso musicians. What followed was the Ethno Album of the Year in 2014 and a number of concerts around the world. The winning music of guitarist Janne Halonen and singer/percussionist Noël Saïzonou never fails to gain them new fans, wherever in the world the band goes.
The Finnish Jazz Federation produces or supports tours for 11 bands or artists in 2016. The spring programme starts in January, and now also the fall season is published.
Jazz Finland LIVE is a new support form for promoting professional jazz concert organizers around the country. The goal is to provide support for sustainable jazz concert series. The Finnish Music Foundation MES granted 139 000 euros for the pilot project in 2016.
