A very special guest, the award-winning singer Vieno Kekkonen, will join the crew this December, too.
Jazz trio HERD and Aili Ikonen's collaborative project Jazzbasilli (the Jazz Bug) has been one of the most active touring acts of the year. The last performances of 2014 will take place this December at the National Theatre's Lavaklubi in Helsinki and at Pikkuteatteri in Lahti. HERD and Aili Ikonen brought out their album Jazzbasilli in October 2013 to great acclaim, and the release has been followed by an intense year on the road; to date, the group has played at almost every Finnish jazz festival. But how you end the years matters the most, right? - This will be carried out with style, as the Kullervo Linna Foundation Prize winner Vieno Kekkonen makes a guest appearance in the both concerts.
One week prior to the two live shows, the Finnish Broadcasting Company YLE will air a live session by HERD on Yle Teema on Sunday 7 December at 10:00PM. The session was shot last March in the YLE M1 studio, and has both ladies Ikonen and Kekkonen feature HERD.
Known for her masterful technique, Aili Ikonen has appeared as a soloist for UMO Jazz Orchestra,among others, and she also fronts the group Aili Ikonen & Tribute to Ella. HERD is one of the most successful Finnish jazz groups of the recent years. They won the prestigious European Jazz Competition in 2011, were the house band at the Pori Jazz Festival 2010 and have released two albums. This autumn, HERD has hosted their own popular club series in Lahti, and the December's concert at Pikkuteatteri will act as the grand finale for the autumn's monthly concerts.
Mikko Mattlar, the maker of the popular radio programme Iskelmäiltama on Radio Helsinki will act as a host on 12 December at Lavaklubi.
HERD & Aili Ikonen feat. Vieno Kekkonen
Sun 7 Dec at 10:00PM Yle Teema (Yle Live)
Fri 12 Dec klo 9:00PM The National Theatre, Lavaklubi, Helsinki
Sat 13 Dec at 7:00 Pikkuteatteri, Lahti
Tickets, Helsinki 15/10 € at the National Theatre Box Office, Lahti 14/7 €, pre-tickets at Tiketti 13,50/8,50 €.
Aili Ikonen, vocals
Vieno Kekkonen, vocals
Panu Savolainen, vibes
Mikko Pellinen, bass
Tuomas Timonen, drums
+ DJ Mikko Mattlar (only on 12 Dec)
www.herdtrio.com
www.facebook.com/herdtrio
www.ailiikonen.fi