News -page consists of current topics and interesting articles about jazz in Finland.
Sax player Timo Lassy and the gospel choir Higher Ground join forces in a unique concert at Paavalinkirkko 1 December. The concert belongs to the autumn programme of We Jazz, giving a preview of the upcoming We Jazz 2014 jazz week, kicked off just one week after the concert.
Drummer Tatu Rönkkö’s solo piece I Play Your Kitchen will invade the kitchens of five Helsinki-residents.
The acclaimed trio will hit the road this winter on a tour co-produced by We Jazz and the Finnish Jazz Federation. The group will play five shows in Finland and one in Estonia.
The November edition of Jussi Lampela Nonet’s concert series at Kanneltalo is entitled “A Hint of Blues”. Guitarist Teemu Viinikainen features as the eponymous composer-arranger’s guest.
Koko Jazz Orchestra, formed by some of the foremost Finnish jazz musicians, celebrate the launch of their debut album with two gigs in Helsinki and Turku toward the end of the month. On the album, the eight-piece performs some new compositions by drummer Jussi Lehtonen and pianist Jussi Fredriksson. Capable of sounding like a miniature big band and smaller ensemble depending on a situation, Koko Jazz Orchestra is a refreshing line-up in the field of Finnish music.
The Unelmien karavaani (Caravan of Dreams) tour brings two new groups with their shared, freer approach to jazz music to Southern Finland 19-23 November. Simo Laihonen, Sami Pekkola and Patric Thorman have formed a new trio and they will now present the fruits of their labour live for the first time. The Caravan consists also of a group of jazz nomads from Turku, whose loaded psychedelia will not fail to make you dance.
Matti Nives, the artistic director of We Jazz has tried his wings in the sphere of fashion by designing a collection of knitwear. Jazz and fashion will come together at Ääniwalli on 13 November in a launch show where Timo Lassy Fashion Quartet provides the most stylish tunes of this fall/winter. Maria Veitola hosts.
The stellar trumpeter, shining today brighter than ever, features HERD on 8 November at Lahden Pikkuteatteri.
Pianist Joona Toivanen and drummer combo Kallio Slaaki go on a Jazz Federation tour together this week. The tour extends to eight concert venues across the country.
Finnish Jazz Federation, the umbrella organisation of Finnish jazz, has awarded drummer Markku Ounaskari with the Yrjö award on Friday 31 October at Tullikamarin Pakkahuone, Tampere Jazz Happening. The Yrjö is the most prestigious jazz prize in Finland. The Varjo-Yrjö, granted by the Finnish Broadcasting Company, Yleisradio, was given to the Turku-based jazz society Flame Jazz. In addition to the two prizes, the Andania prize, to honour a life's work in the field of jazz, was given to Juha Söder. Söder has been an active and long-standing member and the President of the Finnish Jazz Federation.
