Blog

What makes jazz belong in universities?

I have been simultaneously fascinated and amused by the story of the arrival of the ship Andania which brought jazz from New York to Helsinki on the 4^th of June 1926. It paints an irresistible picture: the restless optimism permeating the capital of the nation still recovering from a civil war, the smell of the sea and coal, the metallic rumbling of trams, and in the harbour, men in their white straw hats stopping in amazement by the steam ship to witness the unloading of a gigantic wooden crate from where worldly and carefree American Finns emerge, blowing out a swinging tune, a wondrous sound of the free new world.

Jazz schlager brought swing within everyone’s reach

The second Jazzkynä article of the Jazz in Finland 100 anniversary year features Juha Henriksson examining the breakthrough of Finnish jazz schlager. In the 1950s, it brought the swing of jazz to mass audiences, propelled female singers into the spotlight, and created a distinctive Finnish sound.

In the Spirit of Jazz in Finland 100

In the first Jazzkynä article of the Jazz in Finland 100 anniversary year, music journalist Matti Laipio takes the reader on a hundred-year journey through Finnish jazz. The story begins in 1926 and moves through the wartime years, the formation of institutional structures, and on to the present day. At the same time, the article offers a preview of the themes of the Jazz in Finland 100 website, which will be launched on 4 June.

The Mission of the Finnish Jazz Federation is More Important Than Ever

The Finnish Jazz Scene Is More Accessible Than Its Size Suggest

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

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.

Towards safer participation for everyone

Jazz Finland’s equality policy 2021-2023 was completed in autumn 2020. Each year, we implement a new action program in order to ensure we reach our goals.

Taking on the world, sustainably

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

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

It was 13^th 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.