SaloJazz is a cozy and high-level series of concerts consisting of the SaloJazz Festival at the end of September and the year-round SaloJazz Live concert series.
Friday is dedicated to the festival’s international performers: Agnas Bros and guitarist legend Frank Gambale.
The four brothers, Konrad, Kasper, Maurtix, and Max Agnas founded the band years ago in the basement of their childhood home. Throughout the years they have developed their music which is based on near-telepathic interaction, improvisation and composition
Frank Gambale All Star Group kicks off their European tour in Salo. The band’s impressive lineup includes bass innovator Federico Malaman (Italy), the always remarkable Yoann Schmidt (France) on drums, and Jerry Leonide, a keyboardist from Mauritius now based in Paris. Grammy-winning guitar virtuoso Frank Gambale has been among the world’s leading jazz and fusion guitarists since the early 1980s. Jazz legend Gambale played in Chick Corea’s Elektric Band for over 36 years. Gambale is also renowned as a guitar innovator and educator. As a pioneer of various playing techniques and tuning systems, he continues to be an inspiration to many guitarists. Gambale has over 300 published compositions across more than 20 albums, spanning a wide range of styles—from rock, funk, and jazz to R&B, as well as Latin and Brazilian influences.
Saturday continues with a star lineup of Finnish artists:
In the world of Finnish jazz, the young singer-songwriter prodigy Siina Suutarinen brings her unique sounds in style, inspired by jazz and soul, among others. The concert at the Salo library will feature Siina Suutarinen’s trio ensemble.
Walking bass by Ahti Lassila offers an unique art experience where the exhibitions pieces and the soundscape of the acoustic doublebass fuse together.
Helmi Antila is a Helsinki-based singer-songwriter, pianist, and violinist. The Helmi Antila Quartet, led by Antila, is an ensemble of talented young musicians who play songs in Finnish composed and written by Antila.
Jussi Kannaste released his debut album in April 2025. Kannaste's compositions are situated on a "modern continuum," and all the material is embodied in the composer's desire to explore the possibilities of small-group jazz from his own perspective.
The festival is closed by a concert with SaloJazz House featuring internationally acclaimed singer-pianist Maja Mannila.
Festival programme
Thursday 25.9.
19:00 Welfare from culture panel discussion, Musine
Mikko ”Gunu” Karjalainen, trumpet
Jam session
Friday 26.9.
19:00 Agnas Bros. (SE), Musine
21.30 Frank Gambale All Star Group (AUS, FR, IT), Musine
22.30 Jam session
Saturday 27.9.
12:00 Siina Suutarinen Trio, Salo library
13.30 Ahti Lassila – Walking Bass, Veturitalli
14:00 Workshop bands, Musine
15.30 Ahti Lassila – Walking Bass, Veturitalli
17:00 Helmi Antila Quartet, Srk-talo
19:00 Kannaste4 (FI, SE), Musine
21.30 Maja Mannila & SaloJazz House Band, Musine
Frank Gambale © Benvenuto Studios