News -page consists of current topics and interesting articles about jazz in Finland.
I-Park is now accepting applications for its fully-funded four-week autumn residencies. This multi-disciplinary program is open to composers and sound artists looking to enrich their practice in a collegial, retreat-like setting – in the company of artists working in visual arts, creative writing, moving image and architecture/landscape design.
Elojazz starts a new decade with its 31th festival on 1.-4.8.2019. The festival spreads out all over Oulu: as usually, the opening concert is held in Church of Tuira on Thursday and the main concerts are heard at Rauhalan Patio and Prunnitori during the weekend.
Among the Finnish Jazzahead! delegates there is a jazzvocalist and composer Sanna Ruohoniemi. Ruohoniemi has been building her career from an international standpoint from early on, since she lives in Sweden, has been touring around Nordic countries, and also in German and Australia.
OK:KO performs at Finnish Night of the Karton club on the Jazzahead Saturday. This young band is one of the four Finnish groups performing in Bremen. OK:KO´s new album Syrtti, released in February 2019, was nicely received in Finland. Aiming abroad would be the next natural step for the band – or more like a slide, as Okko Saastamoinen descripes the band´s journey.
This week professionals of jazz around the world are gathering to Bremen, Germany for Jazzahead! trade fair weekend. Jazz Finland takes part in the Jazzahead! atmosphere with an article series, where a few of the Finnish Jazzahead attendees are interviewed about their thoughts and experiences about the event and internationalization of the Finnish jazz. The first article covers Pia Raitala´s tips for the artists who are interested in creating an international career.
Finnish jazz industry have been granted two culture export benefits by Ministry of Education and Culture.
Jazz Finland produces two tours and supports two co-produced tours in the spring of 2020. The application to perform on or produce these tours in open on April 15 at 10am and closes on May 20 at 4pm.
Guitarist Jere Haakana's Varjosto quartet tours Finland and Estonia in May 2–17. The tour celebrates the release of the band's self-titled debut album.
UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra and pianist-harpist Iro Haarla collaboration continues at Easter time with Silent Music church tour. Tour visits Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa, Askola and Porvoo.
Air Force Big Band released a new album Maisemakuvia Suomesta on April 4th to celebrate the 200th anniversary of military music. Multi-instrumentalist Pepa Päivinen is the soloist of the album with saxophones and flute. The album consists of Anssi Tikanmäki´s compositions that are now rearranged and recorded for the first time for big band. The album release concert is held the same day in Tavastia, Helsinki.
