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The Finnish Jazz Scene Is More Accessible Than Its Size Suggest

16.10.2024 | blog

Accessibility is a key theme in cultural policy, and the Finnish jazz field has many interesting starting points in this regard. For instance, jam sessions are an inherent form of participation in jazz, and jazz concerts are traditionally organized in venues that reach diverse audiences. On the other hand, jazz is often perceived as a “difficult-to-understand” art form, and consuming it can be a way for people to distinguish themselves from others. Increasing the accessibility of jazz music is one of the main objectives of the Jazz Federation’s strategy (2021–2026), and to advance this goal, the Jazz Federation is set to publish its accessibility action plan.

Touring Solves a Lot

26.4.2024 | blog

The touring activities of the Finnish Jazz Federation began in 1983. Since then, the Federation has brought jazz to various parts of Finland through its touring system, in collaboration with regional and local partners.

Taking on the world, sustainably

31.8.2021 | blog

Writer and Communications Specialist Helmi Saksala interviewed Jazz Finland's Producer Raisa Siivola about the Nordic Jazz Comets project, and Apocalyptica's Mikko Sirén on his views when it comes to ways to make use of social influence in nudging towards sustainability.

Tukea ja lisäoppia jazzmuusikoille

29.7.2021 | blog

Ammattimuusikoille räätälöityä tukea ja lisäkoulutusta on saatavilla niukalti. Tarjolla tulisi olla käytännönläheistä musiikkibisneksen jatkokoulutusta sekä helposti saavutettavissa olevaa apua ja sparrausta muusikon ammatissa toimimiseen läpi koko uran.

Strategic management and JAZZ improvisation as an inspiration

7.6.2021 | blog

It was 13th of March 2020, when the last lecture and group work with the students of the Master’s degree programme in Arts management at the campus of Sibelius Academy, as part of the Strategic Management Course, took place. In that period, the news about the pandemic were more frequent and some alarming news were coming from China and Italy, but yet the cultural field in Finland, and similarly in the rest of the world, could not even imagine what was going to take place in the coming months and year.

Jazz: Music of inclusion

17.5.2021 | blog

This piece is more about being true to oneself as an art professional, which entails embracing all aspects of one's existence, than it is about jazz or diversity.

Live music for a living planet

16.3.2021 | blog

We have persevered through a whole year of exceptional circumstances. The lengthened crisis has forced us to stop, adapt, and adjust our lives and activities to the ever-changing circumstances, where uncertainty is the only constant. Still, this abrupt stop may well lead to something good for a range of disciplines, including the music industry. One such view into a more positive future is provided by the Finnish project KEMUT – Sustainable music industry toolkit.

How the UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra and other professional European big bands responded to the first year of the pandemic (It’s not all bad)

25.1.2021 | blog

I was talking on the telephone a few days ago with Bettina Uhlmann, the manager of the Zürich Jazz Orchestra in Switzerland. We’ve known each other for a long time, so after we discussed our official business the conversation moved on to “So, how is it really going?”
Her answer was “Well, at least we are not managing or conducting Choirs.”
This sums up the situation for jazz orchestras and big bands at the moment.

 

SaloJazz finds many ways to collaborate

23.11.2020 | blog

SaloJazz came to existence on a 2012 June evening at a bus stop in front of a local supermarket, as a result of a chance meeting with Ilkka Rantamäki, the Regional Artist for jazz music at that time. We both had identified a hole in the Salo event scene, waiting to be filled with an annual music event for adult audiences. We decided to go ahead and organise one. Guitarist Jonathan Kreisberg and his quartet had a Finnish tour organised for late September that year, and that determined the dates for the new festival. We added three local ensembles, and the program for the inaugural event was complete.  Our main incentive was to kick-start a high-end music event which would grow steadily and still be around in ten years’ time.