Finnish Jazz Federation, Sibelius Academy Jazz Music Department at Uniarts Helsinki, UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra and the Finnish Musicians’ Union's Jazz Finland Residency program welcomes Joris Roelofs in the autumn of 2023. His two-part residency begins with concerts at the Porvoo Jazz Festival on September 30th and Hietsu is Happening on October 1st.
Dutch clarinetist, flutist, and saxophonist Joris Roelofs (b. 1984) is known primarily as a versatile musician, but also as an educator and composer who explores the relationship between Friedrich Nietzsche's philosophy and music. He has composed works based on Nietzsche's philosophy, and he has lectured and written about the relationship between music and philosophy, freedom, and improvisation. He is a member of an international Nietzsche research group based in Germany. Roelofs has performed as a member of the Concertgebouw Jazz Orchestra and the Vienna Art Orchestra, and he leads the jazz clarinet department at the Amsterdam Conservatory.
The first part of Roelofs' visit to Finland begins with a solo performance at the Porvoo Jazz Festival on September 30th. The performance includes improvisation on topics such as politics in ancient Greek city-states, improvised political speeches, the anti-improvisation law of Austria (1770), and many other subjects, serving as a springboard for Roelofs' playing and compositions. Roelofs' concert will take place at the Porvoo Art Hall in the midst of Brazilian artist Felipe de Ávila Franco's Subjective Substance exhibition.
"I'm always amazed by Joris's melodiousness, virtuosity, and creativity, which sound so natural. I look forward to and am very happy that Joris is coming to Finland for the first time at the Porvoo Jazz Festival," says the festival's artistic director, Max Zenger.
Improvisation also takes center stage in Roelofs' next performance in Helsinki when spoken word meets music at Hietsu is Happening on October 1st. In addition to Roelofs, the event will feature poets Outi-Illuusia Parviainen and Tapani Kinnunen. With bassist Antti Lötjönen and saxophonist Mikko Innanen joining in, the ingredients for a memorable autumn evening are complete. By creating together in the moment, through human encounters and interactions, something authentic and unique, sensitive and significant, and sometimes even bold, will emerge.
Porvoo Jazz Festival: Joris Roelofs Solo
Saturday, September 30th, at 5 PM, Porvoo Art Hall
Tickets in advance: €20/€15/€10, at the door: €25
Tickets from Liveto: https://events.liveto.io/events/porvoo-jazz-festival-2023
Hietsu is Happening! No. 41
Sunday, October 1st, at 4 PM, Hietsun Paviljonki
Tickets: €10/€20
Tickets available at the event's online store: https://www.hietsuishappening.com/verkkokauppa/
Roelofs' second residency period in Finland will take place from November 6th to 20th, 2023. During this time, Roelofs will teach at the Sibelius Academy's jazz music department and perform with UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra on November 10th at Tanssisali. Additionally, Roelofs will collaborate with other Finnish jazz industry players.
All of Roelofs' public performances will also be updated on the Jazz Finland Residency website: www.jazzfinlandresidency.fi
Jazz Finland Residency is a high-level jazz guest residency program for musicians, composers, and conductors. Coordinated and administered by the Finnish Jazz Federation, the residency annually invites two international guest artists for a 1-2 month residency. The program includes giving master classes at the Sibelius Academy's jazz music department and performing with the UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra. Furthermore, all professional jazz musicians and other industry professionals can propose collaborations with the residency artist. Other partners of the residency program include Music Finland, Jazz Musicians Association, and HIAP Helsinki International Artist Programme.
For more information:
Maura Manninen, Residency Coordinator
maura.manninen@jazzfinland.fi
+358 400 456 381
www.jazzfinlandresidency.fi
www.jorisroelofs.com
https://porvoojazzfestival.com/
https://www.hietsuishappening.com/
Image: Hielke Grootendorst