To be organised at Music Centre in Helsinki 15- 17 October, this year’s DIG. festival features American drummer Jeff “Tain” Watts, Brazilian guitarist and vocalist Chico Pinheiro and sax players Fredrik Lndborg, Walter Smith III and Jerry Bergonzi. Naturally also some of their best Finnish colleagues from the jazz department of the Sibelius Academy will take the stage at the three-day event.
Sibelius Academy of the University of the Arts Helsinki hosts the thirteenth annual DIG. Jazz Festival at the Helsinki Music Centre from 15 to 17 October. The programme is composed of top concerts and workshops given by reputable jazz artists from all over the world. This year’s special theme is jazz as a global genre of music. Three different continents will be represented in the programme with their distinctive influences, but seeing Finns join forces with their international guests, DIG. will also be about creative encounters between different traditions.
DIG. kicks off on Thursday 15 October with performances by two groups strongly characterised by intensity of rhythm. First, American drummer Jeff “Tain” Watts will be joined by stellar Finnish colleagues sax player Joonatan Rautio, pianist Aki Rissanen and bassist Antti Lötjönen, while the second concert of the day presents the São Paolo native guitarist-vocalist Chico Pinheiro with his quartet. Friday will be saxophone-led but that is where the similarities between the two performing groups end. Led by Swedish Fredrik Lindborg, LSD trio counts on the combination of soulful swing and blues, whereas Walter Smith III Quartet takes us to the more modern soundscapes.
Closing on Saturday 17 October, the festival culminates in the star-studded Fast Company. The international quartet is composed of American saxophonist Jerry Bergonzi, his fellow countryman pianist Joe Calderazzo, Swedish bassist Jonny Åman and drummer Jukkis Uotila, one of the driving forces of the jazz department of Sibelius Academy. The whole festival ends at Koko Jazz Club in a jam session, which will no doubt offer virtuoso performances galore.
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DIG. Festival at Helsinki Music Centre 15–17 October
Thu 15 Oct at 19 Black Box
Jeff "Tain" Watts with Finnish Friends
Joonatan Rautio, sax / Aki Rissanen, piano / Antti Lötjönen, bass / Jeff "Tain" Watts, drums
Chico Pinheiro Group
Chico Pinheiro, goutar & vocals / Helio Alves, piano / Scott Thompson, bass / Rafael Barata, drums
Fri 16 Oct at 19 Black Box
LSD
Fredrik Lindborg, sax / Martin Sjöstedt, bass / Daniel Fredriksson, drums
Walter Smith III Quartet
Walter Smith III, sax / Fabian Almazan, piano / Joshua Crumbly, bass / Eric Harland, drums
Sat 17 Oct at 19 Black Box
Fast Company
Jerry Bergonzi, sax / Joey Calderazzo, piano / Jonny Åman, bass / Jukkis Uotila, drums
Tickets: 27,50/22,50/17,50 € (Lippupalvelu), 25/20/15€ (Musiikkitalo) / per day
Three-day ticket 62,50 € (Lippupalvelu), 59 € (Musiikkitalo)
Final jam session at Koko Jazz Club: 15/10 € (tickets at the door only)
Saturday's ticket and the three-day ticket admits to the final jam session free of charge.