News -page consists of current topics and interesting articles about jazz in Finland.
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!
One of the European jazz forefronters, Aki Rissanen Trio starts a tour in April. Aki Rissanen Trio started their Art In Motion album release tour in autumn 2019, and is now finishing it with seven concerts. In addition to pianist Aki Rissanen, the trio is formed by bassist Antti Lötjönen and drummer Teppo Mäkynen. The tour is co-produced by Raitala Music Oy and Jazz Finland.
Validi Karkia -club, based in Pori, celebrates its 9th birthday and helds its 300th concert this spring. Also a local Antikvariatic shop by Markku Ranta is now closing its doors after 30 years. These two celebrations are combined in several days long Bookstock festival.
Savoy JAZZFest brings international festival atmosphere to the center of Helsinki on March 5–8th. Every night after the main concerts there will be after party jazzclubs at Hotel Haven.
April Jazz festival, held on 22th-26th April in Espoo, announces its final program. This year April Jazz presents 11 international groups that are performing in Finland for the first time, setting the record of more first-timers than before. Artists include three-time Grammy winner Cécile McLorin Salvantin with pianist Sullivan Fortner, 15 times Grammy nominated jazzpianist Fred Hersch and pianist legend Bob James together with jazz trumpeter Till Brönner. The program includes also four album release parties of Finnish bands and one composition premiere.
Jarmo Saari celebrates his 50th birthday with a charitable concert at Savoy theatre on March 14th. The concert program includes songs from the extensive career of multi-instrumentalist and composer Saari. He is joined by guest musicians and artists from the Finnish frontline. The profits of the concert are given to "Suojellaan lapsia" -organisation, that aims to prevent sexual violence on children.
