News -page consists of current topics and interesting articles about jazz in Finland.
The second oldest jazz event in Finland is Turku Jazz Festival, which starts today on Thursday 5th March. The opening concert in Bar Ö features solo bass performance by Ville Herrala, and Fredator swings together with saxophonist Max Zenger. The weekend's main concerts in Logomo are already sold out.
Pope Puolitaival Nordic4 tours around Finland in March and April. Nordic4 released their latest album "Northern Resonance" last autumn. The tour is co-produced by Creatika and Jazz Finland.
Jazz Finland, Sibelius Academy Jazz Music Department at Uniarts Helsinki, UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra and the Finnish Musicians’ Union are launching a new international jazz residency program in Helsinki. The Jazz Finland Residency is a top-level, invitation-only residency for jazz musicians, composers and conductors. Organised and coordinated by Jazz Finland, the program invites two international guest artists each year to Finland for a residency which can last anywhere from one to two months. The residency program is designed for top jazz names and promising up-and-coming musicians.
Django Collective Helsinki have completed their anticipated debut. Friends of swing jazz and the Gypsy Jazz scene will be delighted to hear the album "Do Standards", which will be released on March 12, 2020. It features the band's insightful and original arrangements of genre standards and more rarely heard works from the golden era of swing. Also, giving a surprising and appealing addition to the music, a string quartet is also featured.
Pauli Lyytinen Magnetia Orkesteri releases a new album "Hypnosis" on March 13th, and launches a Finland tour of ten concerts soon after that. The first single "Rhodiola Rosea" from the eagerly awaited album is given in the end of February.
We Jazz reaches Sveta Bar in Tallinn this spring with two club nights. We Jazz Tallinn features Perussastamala: May Queen in March and Superposition in May. A cruise package by Eckerö Line is available for jazz-passengers.
Sointi Jazz Orchestra launches a new jazz club at Music Theater Kapsäkki, located in Helsinki. The club nights are thematic entities with interesting composer and soloist guests. In addition to the concert, a discussion event of the theme of the night is held at restaurant Bistro K. The first club night by Sointi Jazz Orchestra brings together Finnish big band pieces and excellent saxophonists.
The International Jazz in the Park Competition is an event addressed to young national and international jazz bands. Its 6th edition will take place on May 1-3 2020, in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. The application deadline is February 29th.
This years Emma Gala was held on Saturday 8th February to award the Finland’s most distinguished artists and music professionals of the year 2019. The Jazz Emma award was won by Alexi Tuomarila Trio with their most recent album Sphere (Edition Records). Alexi Tuomarila Trio consists of pianist and composer Tuomarila, drummer Olavi Louhivuori and Norwegian bassist Mats Eilertsen. The winning album was also featured by trumpeter Verneri Pohjola.
Nordic jazz organizations and the new jazz promotor network are calling all artists on the verge of international breakthrough to apply for the Nordic Jazz Comets showcase and sustainable touring project. Application is open until March 15!
