Gourmet released their fourth album En garde last spring and are now seen on Jazz Finland tour on 6 to 16 February. The sextet will perform music from the latest album, older Gourmet classics and new material not heard before.
Gourmet, formed in 1997, does a rare tour in Finland starting 6 February from Tampere and covering seven other concerts in cities such as Jyväskylä, Oulu and Espoo and ending in Savonlinna on 16 February. Gourmet has toured widely in Europe the last few years and has been seen for example in Belgium, the Netherlands, Austria, German and Hungary.
En garde, released in April 2018, received an excellent reception from both the audience and the press. Helsingin Sanomat gave full five stars for the album and classified Gourmet to “a class of its own”. Their music has references from cinematic tones, schlager, marching music and the traditions of Paris and New Orleans. Gourmet is par excellence a jazz ensemble that sees jazz more as an attitude than a music genre.
The present line-up of Gourmet has held together over 15 years and has successfully avoided tight compartments since the beginning. Gourmet led by saxophonist Mikko Innanen and guitarist Esa Onttonen consist of first-class jazz musicians; drummer Mika Kallio, accordionist Veli Kujala, tubist Petri Keskitalo and trombonist Ilmari Pohjola. On the last four concerts of the tour, Harri Kuusijärvi covers for Veli Kujala in accordion.
”This is jazz music at its best and most fun... An absolutely wonderful music experience!” – Salt Peanuts
Gourmet
Mikko Innanen – saxophone, Esa Onttonen – guitar, Ilmari Pohjola – trombone, Veli Kujala/Harri Kuusijärvi – accordion, Petri Keskitalo – tuba, Mika Kallio – drums
6.2. Tampere, Telakka @ 22.00
7.2. Jyväskylä, Jazz Jkl Live, Vakiopaine @ 19.00
8.2. Espoo, April Jazz Club, Tapiola Garden @ 20.00
9.2. Turku, Flame Jazz Club, Café Tiljan @ 22.00
13.2. Oulu, Vanha Paloasema Bar @ 20.00
14.2. Kuopio, Maxim @ 19.00
15.2. Joensuu, Ravintola Kerubi @ 19.00
16.2. Savonlinna, Kulttuurikellari @ 19.00