The popular Flame Jazz Cruise brings a sizzling festival atmosphere to the Viking Grace on the first weekend of October.
Now in its 24th edition on the Turku–Stockholm route, the jazz cruise will feature six fiery concerts, offering a range of musical experiences from intimate moments to lively rhythmic celebrations. The cruise kicks off with a talk show featuring the latest insights from jazz musicians, and on the return journey, a fun jazz bingo hosted by Taneli Pyysalo will set the mood. There will also be jam sessions, where the best solos often emerge in the early hours.
Saturday, October 5
10:00 PM, Retro Bar
Kasper Halttunen 5tet
- Mikko Antila – vibraphone
- Ilmari Rönkä – saxophones, flute
- Juho Valjakka – piano
- Tuomo Purhonen – double bass
- Kasper Halttunen – drums
The jazz cruise opens with a young quintet led by drummer-composer Kasper Halttunen, well-known from the cruise's jam sessions. The band presents Halttunen's new compositions in a modern jazz spirit, blending vibraphone and alto saxophone with a traditional piano trio, emphasizing beautiful melodies around which the music freely flows.
11:00 PM, Vogue Night Club
RKDIA
- Morten Schantz (DK) – keyboards, vocals
- Anton Eger (SE/NO) – drums
The Nordic duo RKDIA, known for their intense live performances, brings hypnotic vibes to Saturday night. Combining electronic music, broken disco, and improvisation, they create a sound where jazz's free expression meets synth-based pop-retro-futurism.
12:15 AM, Vogue Night Club
Heini Ikonen sings Prince
- Heini Ikonen – vocals
- Onni Sakari Lonka – guitar
- Kasperi Kallio – keyboards
- Tapio Backlund – bass
- Johannes Pakkala – drums
Finland's soul queen Heini Ikonen wraps up Saturday night with a set of Prince's greatest hits. Iconic tracks like Kiss, 1999, and Let’s Go Crazy guarantee a true funk party for the dance crowd. Known for her smooth vocals and charismatic presence, Heini has been a prominent vocalist and musician for over 15 years.
Sunday, October 6
1:00 PM, Vogue Night Club
VIRTA
- Antti Hevosmaa – trumpet, vocals, electronics
- Heikki Selamo – guitar, vocals, electronics
- Erik Fräki – drums, percussion, electronics
To start Sunday’s return journey, VIRTA will deliver their signature sound, which is hard to categorize in one genre. Their unique blend of progressive rock, ambient, experimental electronic music, and Nordic jazz is unlike any other.
3:30 PM, Vogue Night Club
Sointi Jazz Orchestra
- Rasmus Soini – conductor, compositions
- Various saxophones, clarinets, flutes, trumpets, trombones, tuba, piano, bass, drums, and percussion
The Sointi Jazz Orchestra presents a fresh musical experience with a record release concert. The 18-member group, founded in 2013, is known for its innovative arrangements and distinctive instrumentation. Their new album Jäähyväiset draws inspiration from nature’s wonders and the complex relationship between humans and nature.
5:00 PM, Vogue Night Club
Dalindèo
- Valtteri Laurell Pöyhönen – electric guitar, compositions
- Jose Mäenpää – trumpet, keyboards
- Pope Puolitaival – tenor saxophone
- Pekka Lehti – double bass
- Rasmus Pailos – percussion
- Jaska Lukkarinen – drums
The cruise culminates with the cult band Dalindèo! Established in 2004, Dalindèo is one of the longest-running jazz bands in Finland. Known for their explosive live performances, their fanbase has expanded beyond traditional jazz audiences. Their latest album Tropicalia Nordica offers timeless, energetic, and entertaining surf-jazz with a psychedelic twist.
Flame Jazz Cruise XXIV
Viking Grace
Departs from Turku Harbor on Saturday, October 5, 2024, at 8:55 PM.
Returns on Sunday, October 6, 2024, at 7:50 PM.
All concerts are included with a standard cruise ticket.
Tickets: vikingline.fi
Full cruise program and schedule (all times in Finnish time):
- Saturday, October 5, 2024
- 9:30 PM Flame Jazz Talk Show (Retro)
- 10:00 PM Kasper Halttunen 5tet (Retro)
- 11:15 PM Flame Jazz Jam Session (Retro)
- 11:00 PM RKDIA (Vogue)
- 12:15 AM Heini Ikonen sings Prince (Vogue)
- Jam sessions at Retro Bar continue until 3:30 AM!
- Sunday, October 6, 2024
- 1:00 PM VIRTA (Vogue)
- 2:15 PM Flame Jazz Jam Session (Retro)
- 2:30 PM Flame Jazz Bingo (Vogue)
- 3:30 PM Sointi Jazz Orchestra (Vogue)
- 5:00 PM Dalindèo (Vogue)
More info at jazzcityturku.fi
Dalindèo © Miikka Pirinen