News -page consists of current topics and interesting articles about jazz in Finland.
Sakari Kukko's new group, Helle ("Heat"), plays music that is in keeping with their name. The woodwind player-pianist-composer's band sticks to West-African music tradition but the repertoire includes also Finnish household composer's pieces in afrobeat arrangements.
UMO Jazz Orchestra and Club For Five will step into the shiny, swinging shoes of American big band legend Glenn Miller and vocal group The Modernaires. “Glenn Miller 110%” collaborative mini tour will bring the two pioneering Finnish groups together to Hämeenlinna, Järvenpää, Espoo and Kotka in September.
The latest issue of Sussex Jazz Magazine features a review of Tonight At Noon's live show on 5 May at The Brunswick in Hove, Britain. At the Brunswick, the vigorous Finnish combo, lead by drummer André Sumelius's, was joined by saxophonist Tony Kofi.
Koko kesä Kalliossa (All summer in Kallio) is a special concert series organised at Koko Jazz Club in Kallio throughout the summer.
At Vesijärvi harbour in Lahti from 11 to 14 September, Jazztori will offer anniversary celebrations and a wide array of live music. As 2014 is the year when Lahti Big Band turns 30 years and Jazztori Festival 25 years, festivities are indeed in order. For this purpose a special Gala night opens the festival, and starshine will be provided by dazzling guests Irina Björklund, HERD & Aili Ikonen and Lahti Big Band featuring Paula Koivuniemi. On Friday, swing will be switched to blues and soul by Heikki Silvennoinen and Sami Saari together with the big band Boston promenade. On Saturday the stage will be taken by a pair of long-stading groups, Miikka Kallio Band and Jean S.
At Savitaipale Soi festival, Maarit Hurmerinta and Aili Ikonen, the scintillating singers, will shine as the stars of Saturday’s outdoor concert. On Sunday in a church milieu, Jukka Perko with a special guest, Verneri Pohjola, will blow new life into traditional hymns.
The American saxophonist Lenny Pickett and the Finnish all-star big band, UMO Jazz Orchestra, will release a collaborative album. "The Prescription" is due to come out in the United States on 10 June. The album is the second for the Tower of Power saxman and the Saturday Night Live band director, Pickett, whose career spans over 40 years.
Porvoo Jazz Festival, organised for the first time last year, found its way to the audience’s heart immediately. This year, the festival will come again in September 11 to 14, inviting people to enjoy high-standard jazz music at Kulttuuritalo Grand and a number of restaurants in the old town. A dazzling and topical array of Finnish and international artists and a wide co-operation with different partners guarantee that the cosiest festival in Finland has come to stay.
This summer, saxophonist Timo Lassy will be as busy as ever. In addition to the upcoming concerts in Finland, he visited Germany last week and the next stop in the Continent is Brindisi, Italy. At a number of gigs the sax man is joined by Joyce Elaine Yuille on vocals, and he will also give duo performances with pianist Georgios Kontrafouris. Also, a new album is the making.
The first Beatwave Festival of the year at mbar will be a memorable one; the festival will host the biggest names in its history this June. Beatwave Festival’s partner is Red Bull Music Academy, and in co-operation with mbar will present three hot artists, Ladi6 (NZ), Onra (FR) and FaltyDL (US) first time in Helsinki. At the same weekend, on Sunday, mbar will also host the Söndag Jazz jam sessions.
