News -page consists of current topics and interesting articles about jazz in Finland.
Oulu Music Festival 2026 begins with a celebration of 100 years of jazz in Finland. The programme provides world class chamber music, praised musical theatre and gritty contemporary circus. The festival's first progamme launch includes four events but five unique performances.
To celebrate the centenary of Finnish jazz, a national showcase event dedicated to Finnish jazz will be organized in Finland.
Turku will host two international top jazz names in March 2026 when saxophone legend Joe Lovano and top vocalist Emma Smith give concerts at Logomo's Teatro hall.
The duo Maja Mannila & Johannes Granroth will perform on the Finnish Jazz Federation’s pilot tour, giving not only public evening concerts but also performances in schools and care homes. The tour, which focuses on the Swedish-speaking regions of Finland (Svenskfinland), will include visits to Turku, Nauvo, Korpo, Kirkkonummi, and Pietarsaari.
On All Saints’ Day weekend a diverse set of music played once again as Tampere Jazz Happening filled the venues at Tulli area with modern jazz for the 44th time. Martyna van Nieuwland has been appointed as the successor to the festival’s long-serving Artistic Director, Juhamatti Kauppinen, who is now retiring.
Guitarist Mikko Iivanainen celebrates turning 50 years old with a tour through Finland in October 2025.
The most esteemed recognitions in Finnish jazz were presented in Tampere on Friday, 31 October. The Finnish Jazz Federation awarded the Yrjö Award to vocalist Aili Ikonen, the Andania Lifetime Achievement Award to Bosse Mellberg, Chair of Korppoo Jazz Association, and the Taimi Award for a talented young musician to drummer Veikka Kajamies. The Varjo-Yrjö Award, given by Yle’s Jazzradio for contributions to Finnish jazz culture, was awarded to Juhamatti Kauppinen, the retiring artistic director and producer of the Tampere Jazz Happening.
Francois Raulin on piano and mbira, Majid Bekkas on guembri, guitar and vocals, Emille Biayenda on drums and percussions join forces in an irresistible trio. At the crossroad of European, Gnawa and Central African traditions, these masters keep open to all winds of freedom. They hit the road from Latvia on 30 and 31 October, continue through Estonia on 1st November and reach Tampere Jazz Happening on 2 November.
The 44th international Tampere Jazz Happening will be held from 30 October to 2 November 2025.
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