Turku Jazz Orchestra and the Turku-based concert series Flame Jazz kick off the 100th anniversary of Finnish independence with a star-studded programme. The spring season offerings include top-class jazz from the Nordic countries all the way to the U.S. and Benin.
This year’s Flame Jazz Artist of the Year is one of Finland’s most original and innovative reedsmen: saxophonist-composer Mikko Innanen. Indeed, one of the highlights of the season will be a unique collaborative concert seeing Innanen’s 12-piece orchestra, Mikko Innanen 10+, and the award-winning chamber choir Key Ensemble, led by Teemu Honkanen, team up at Åbo Svenska Teater in March.
In the same month we will be in for a dose of pre-spring pick-up. Conducted by Jere Laukkanen and fronted by vocalist Pauliina May, Turku Jazz Orchestra will take us on a musical journey to Cuba and the Caribbean. From the flamboyant mambo of Nueva York to the romantic Cuban bolero, this concert features both classics and forgotten pearls from various Latin American styles. As these rhythms rarely leave anyone cold, the audience will also have a chance to step up and try their feet at the fiery salsa!
One of Europe’s most notable jazz singers, Viktoria Tolstoy, gives Turku Jazz Orchestra the honour to receive her as a guest soloist in May. The Swedish vocalist has a flair for tackling any musical genre with an impeccable sense of style and dazzling charisma. Indeed, this collaborative concert will be an unforgettable experience: prepare yourself for classy selection of jazz, blues and ballads.
The season will be closed in a double concert featuring another stunning singer: the Finnish Johanna Försti. Taking place on the jazz cruise Big Band on Board! aboard Viking Grace, Saturday’s evening concert will make you boogie to the beat of hot jazz and soul numbers, while the return day will be devoted to blue moods.
Turku’s venues play host to great Finnish and international jazz almost every week this spring. Check the schedule below.
January
06.01. Jusu Heinonen Gyl5, Sigyn Club, Turun konservatorio
13.01. Esa Pietilä Liberty Ship, Café Tiljan, Åbo Svenska Teater
21.01. Flame Jazz Cruise 10, Viking Grace
27.01. Nordic Trinity, Jazzklubi Monk
February
04.02. Turku Jazz Orchestra & Woodyn vuosikymmenet, Sigyn-sali, Turun konservatorio
10.02. Quartet Ajaton, Café Tiljan, Åbo Svenska Teater
24.02. Maxxxtet, Jazzklubi Monk
March
03.03. Snorre Kirk Quintet (DK), Café Tiljan, Åbo Svenska Teater
10.03. Turku Jazz Orchestra Afro-Cuban Night, Börs Night Club
17.03. Mikko Innanen 10+ and Key Ensemble, Åbo Svenska Teater
24.03. Mikko Helevä & The Bronson – Hands-on Hammond, Jazzklubi Monk
31.03. Jaska Lukkarinen Trio plays Valtteri Pöyhönen, Bar Ö
April
07.04. Sointi Jazz Orchestra Café Tiljan, Åbo Svenska Teater
21.04. Trio Toffa (BJ/FI), Jazzklubi Monk
28.04. Kari Antila & Peter Hertmans "Guitar Stories" (FI/BE), Sigyn Club, Turun konservatorio
May
05.05. Sibis Jazz: Thelonious Monk 100 Years (FI/US) Café Tiljan, Åbo Svenska Teater
13.05. Turku Jazz Orchestra & Viktoria Tolstoy (SE), Åbo Svenska Teater
20.05. Jukka Eskola Soul Trio +, Jazzklubi Monk
27.05. Big Band On Board! Turku Jazz Orchestra & Johanna Försti, Viking Grace