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.
This summer the programme has some international colour, since American four-time Grammy-nominee and maybe the worlds best Hammond-organist Joey DeFrancesco performs with his trio on Saturday at Prunnitori. Also Severi Pyysalo & Mokners and Sami Saari and Jazzpojat performs the same night.
Timo Hirvonen (bass) and Jussi Lehtonen (drums), both widely known in Finland and internationally, perform together to offer audience some improvised and tightly synchronisated grooving. The concert consist of their “In the spirit of Jaco Pastorius” -project from year 2004, and it’s performed together with Oulu All Star Big Band and Jukkis Uotila.
Some female energy is presented firstly at the opening concert, when Johanna Försti Gospel performs traditional gospel and contemporary popular music. On Friday Pope Puolitaival Nordic4 -band presents some music from their upcoming album. The same evening Emma-awarded Emma Salokoski performs with Ilmiliekki Quartet. Also bassist Kaisa Mäensivu performs at Friday afterparty club performs with vibraphonist Severi Pyysalo and drummer Olli Estola. At Saturday the afterpary club is featured with jazz singer and composer Nina Mya and her tribute to Burt Bacharach.
Elojazz is organised as part of Oulu August Festival. The event is produced by Jazz-20 ry and artistic director Jukka Eskola. Check out the entire programme: www.elojazz.com.