The Finnish Jazz Federation (Jazz Finland) celebrated the 23rd edition of the Jazz-Espa open air event in late July with a set of greener production solutions and an emphasis on safer spaces. The participants are encouraged to leave feedback about the event before August 31, 2022.
The Jazz-Espa concert series, organized annually during the last week of July, featured 17 topical, Finnish jazz acts in six days. The concerts are traditionally accessible for all and free of charge. Some 3.200 people enjoyed the concerts this year in the audience area, and if you include the people who listened to the music while sunbathing on the Kappeli terrace, which faces the Espa stage, the total number climbs up to 5.500 visitors.
Safer space welcomes all participants
The previous two years saw the event follow the necessary health and safety measures. , This year the participants were encouraged to get acquainted with the principles of socially safer places. The safer space refers to a positive experience at the event, which might be your workplace, performance stage, leisure activity as a member of the community or just an accidental event you run into. Safer space policy indicates that as an event organizer the Finnish Jazz Federation does not tolerate violence, harassment, or hate speech, thereby creating a safe place for marginalized people.
This year there were no reported disorderly conduct, and the 18 people who responded to the on site survey, recognized the event as safe. After the previous summer’s participant surveys, the visibility of the responsible organizer (Jazz Federation) was improved at the event, and the security guard positions were reorganized. The policy can be read at https://www.jazzespa.fi/safer-spaces (opens a new website in a new window).
Greener production solutions
Starting this year, the Finnish Jazz Federation is building its own environmental program within the EcoCompass scheme. EcoCompass is an environmental management system and certificate which has been developed based on the international ISO 14001 standard. The system is owned by the Finnish Association of Nature Conservation.
Through our 2022–2024 program we pledge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions created through our productions. As part of the live music industry’s 2022 climate measurement scheme, Jazz Espa’s carbon footprint will be measured, and we are already committed to do our best to reduce our environmental load.
This edition was the first one to introduce waste sorting. Jazz-Espa and the neighboring Etno-Espa event shared the wish to make sorting possible at the Esplanadi park and apply some pressure on the Helsinki city to provide it permanently. The management service was operated by Remeo Ltd. Jazz Federation measures the amount of event waste and collects feedback about the system. The full environmental plan cand be read at https://www.jazzespa.fi/greener-choices (opens a new website in a new window).
Jazz-Espa featured nearly 300 musicians
The bands can apply to perform at Jazz-Espa. In the fall of 2021 there were 72 applicants for this summer. Five of the applications were in English. Out of the 293 musicians who were included in the applicants, 37 were female (13 %), 243 male (83 %), 1 non-binary (0 %) and 4 preferred not to say (4 %). 275 of the musicians (94 %) were Finnish and 18 were foreign (4 %).
The final line-up featured 71 musicians, of whom 8 were female (11 %), 58 male (82 %), 1 non-binary (0 %) and 4 preferred not to say (6 %). Some of the musicians played in several bands. The percentages have been rounded to whole numbers.
According to the Jazz Federation’s Equity Policy 2021–2023 (opens a document to a new window) the organization advances gender diversity and equal opportunities also in the artistic programming. The next application round to perform at Jazz-Espa 2023 takes place in October 2022. Jazz musicians of all backgrounds and styles are encouraged to apply!
Your feedback makes better events!
The Finnish Jazz Federation collected feedback from the event participants (artists, audience, staff) during the event to correct any defects immediately. As a result of the survey, extra announcements about the waste sorting and safer spaces were added, among other matters that were easily fixed.
To develop Jazz-Espa even further towards a safe, sustainable and functional event, every feedback is appreciated. Please give yours by taking this online survey by August 31,2022: https://link.webropol.com/s/jazzespa2022survey (opens an online form in a new window). The survey is anonymous and can be taken in Finnish or English.
Jazz-Espa partners include Savoy Theatre, Restaurant Kappeli, Grand Rental Ltd., and the Pop & Jazz Conservatory. The event was supported by the Finnish Music Foundation (MES) and the Helsinki Cultural Centre.
In the article picture: Riikka Keränen on the Espa stage with her band. Photo by Sakari Puhakka.