April Jazz will be held from April 19th to 27th, 2024. The full program of the festival has now been released.
The 38th April Jazz Festival gathers an impressive lineup of some of the hottest names in the current New York jazz scene. Featured artists include alto saxophonist Immanuel Wilkins performing as the soloist for the Espoo Big Band, Grammy-winning bassist Linda May Han Oh, tenor saxophonist James Brandon Lewis, trumpeter Peter Evans, and vibraphonist Joel Ross. Other additions to the program include South African Afro-soul singer Nomfusi, the 12-member Red Desert Orchestra led by pianist Eve Risser, the powerhouse duo RKDIA formed by drummer Anton Eger and keyboardist Morten Schantz, as well as the piano trios of Spanish musician Daniel Garcia and Englishman Alexander Hawkins.
Previously announced headliners for the festival include 8-time Grammy winner bassist Christian McBride, Grammy-winning R&B singer Ledisi, who will perform with the Vantaa Entertainment Orchestra in Helsinki and Lahti, soulful artist Shayna Steele, and two of Finland's most popular a cappella groups, Club For Five and Rajaton, forming an 11-member special lineup.
This spring, April Jazz will feature three album release concerts. Pianist Kari Ikonen and Belgian saxophonist Manuel Hermia, leading the "national orchestra of the moon" Orchestra Nazionale Della Luna, will release their third album Selene’s View. The closing concert will celebrate the release of Olli Ahvenlahti's new album The Poet Vol.2 on his 75th birthday. Emma Salokoski and Maria Ylipää's Omani uni project will present their new album Kauniita piikkejä, featuring saxophonist Jukka Perko and accordionist Niko Kumpuvaara as special guests.
UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra will bring a touch of Spain to April Jazz with a full-size big band, top-notch flamenco musicians, and flamenco dancers from Spain, along with young Finnish flamenco groups.
The completed program is complemented by two ensembles of young Finnish singer-songwriters. Selma Savolainen, known for her impressive vocal expression, will bring her Horror Vacui sextet to April Jazz. The quartet of Helmi Antila, performing in the closing concert, has captivated audiences in live performances, and their debut album will be released later this year.
The concert venues in Espoo include the Espoo Cultural Center in Tapiola and Sellosali in Leppävaara. In addition, the festival will visit the Cultural House and Dance House in Helsinki, as well as Sibeliustalo in Lahti. Free after-parties can be enjoyed at the April Jazz Club in Tapiola Garden.
April Jazz is one of Finland's largest jazz festivals and has been held in Espoo annually since 1987. The event is organized by Espoo Big Band ry.
Photo of Ledisi