The Turku-based Flame Jazz has compiled the spring season's programme with love for both tradition and novelty.
As Flame Jazz is about to start its fifth year of activity, the air is full of excitement and trust for the future. Year-round professional production of jazz concerts has clearly began to gain foothold and recognition in Finland during the past few years, as signalled by the fact that Flame Jazz was rewarded for exactly this sort of activity in autumn 2014 by Yleisradio with the Jazz-Yrjö prize. When the President of Flame Jazz was awarded by the Finnish Musicians’ Union around the same time, the jury cited the merits of Flame Jazz as major factors in his favour. This kind of public acknowledgement gives trust for future, toward which Flame Jazz is heading equipped with equal portions of open-mindedness and reverence for tradition.
Despite a strong emphasis on localness, doors will be held open for international influences this spring. From the outset, Flame Jazz has underscored the well-being of Finnish, more specifically, Turku-based jazz. Nevertheless, it is a proven truism that no form of art has ever been able to live up to its potential in an isolated environment, no matter how much certain parties in contemporary society wish to give precedence to the nationalist character of art. Even Sibelius, who wished to be remembered as a reformer of the symphonic form, suffered from the role of the national icon imposed upon him. Moreover, without his broad-minded attitude and active engagement in the international scene, he would never have been able to compose many of his great works. Taking cue from the great Finnish symphonic composer, Flame Jazz will bring us visiting artists and acts from Sweden, Italy, Romania and Denmark.
An accepting and inquisitive stance to what is new is indispensable for improvement. Flame Jazz will venture onto untrodden paths but keep the feet firmly upon the ground. Respect for tradition will be preserved as a core value, because music is all about learning from the masters and passing it on. Thus, Flame Jazz welcomes warmly such pioneers as the 80-year-old saxophone legend Juhani Aaltonen and UMO Jazz Orchestra, who celebrate their 40th anniversary, to Turku this spring.
The programme of the spring season is a multi-flavoured mix of extraordinary jazz treats: visualised jazz, Piazzolla, album-launching shows, bright young talent and pioneering sound – not to forget the massively popular Flame Jazz Cruise with a number of A-listing Finnish jazzers.
PROGRAMME SPRING 2015:
9 Jan Olding/Lukkarinen Quartet (SWE/FIN) (Monk)
16 Jan Aki Rissanen Amorandom (ÅST)
30 Jan Mauro Negri Buds Quartet (ITA) (Monk)
31 Jan Flame Jazz Cruise VI (Redrama, Verneri Pohjola Solo, Nassaun Fasaani, Teddy´s West Coasters, Mauro Negri Buds Quartet, Elena & The Rom Ensembl, DJ Åkerblom)
13 Feb Ostrobotnia Jazz Sextet plays Music of Astor Piazzolla (ÅST)
27 Feb Harri Kuusijärvi Koutus (Monk)
6 Mar Verneri Pohjola Quartet (ÅST)
20 Mar Juhani Aaltonen Trio (Monk)
3 Apr Spy On Your Friends (DEN) (Monk)
17 Apr Jori Huhtala 5 (ÅST)
24 Apr Talent Night: Kasperi Sarikoski & Nuance (ÅST)
8 May Sid Hille Contemporary Collective (ÅST)
15 May UMO & Lassy & Pöyhönen - Yön rakastaja (Sigyn-sali)
22 May Sun Trio (Monk)