Josefiina Vannesluoma & Mortal Lease, who released their debut album in 2023 and received an Emma nomination, will embark on a Jazz Federation tour from November 1 to 8, 2024. Drawing inspiration from Edith Wharton’s poetry series, the band will kick off the tour with a grand performance at the Tampere Jazz Happening festival on November 1, followed by concerts in Vaasa, Savonlinna, Joensuu, and Porvoo.
Jazz singer and composer Josefiina Vannesluoma and her band Mortal Lease transform century-old poems into a sensual jazz expression. Their debut album The Mortal Lease, which earned a Jazz Emma nomination, is a nuanced work that shifts from ecstatic outbursts to restrained elegance. Influences from various musical styles blend naturally into the band’s rooted storytelling in jazz.
The band’s successful album takes its title and lyrical inspiration from Edith Wharton’s (1862–1937) poetry series The Mortal Lease, a decorative sonnet cycle about a summer romance, the hunger for life, and the search for meaning. The eight-part sonnet series, derived from Wharton’s personal romantic turbulence, conveys both gratitude for the experience of passion, disappointment as the relationship became impossible, and ultimately, renunciation of pleasures.
In addition to Vannesluoma, the album features young top musicians, including pianist Mikael Myrskog, bassist Nathan Francis, drummer Ville Luukkonen, and Sampo Kasurinen on alto flute, clarinet, and tenor saxophone. On the tour, Joonas Tuuri will play the double bass. Alongside Vannesluoma, the album’s artistic producer was Markus Kärki, also known for his work on Signe’s To Sappho album and Game Music Collective’s audio productions.
Vannesluoma, who has previously received recognition as a Teosto Award and Emma nominee, is known for her innovative composition style and beautiful sound, which have also been heard in ensembles such as Signe, Nossa Bossa, and Mikko Sarvanne Garden.
Josefiina Vannesluoma & Mortal Lease
Josefiina Vannesluoma – vocals and compositions
Mikael Myrskog – piano
Joonas Tuuri – double bass
Ville Luukkonen – drums
Sampo Kasurinen – woodwinds
Concert dates and venues
Fri 1.11. at 22.30, Tampere, Telakka / Tampere Jazz Happening
Sat 2.11. at 20.00, Vaasa, The Doo-Bop Club
Tue 5.11. at 19.00, Savonlinna, Kulttuurikellari / Olavin Jazz ry
Wed 6.11. at 19.00, Joensuu, Pakkahuone / Jazzkerho -76 ry
Fri 8.11. at 20.00, Porvoo, Vanha 123 / Porvoo Jazz Club
Jazz – heard and seen!
Finnish Jazz Federation’s essential form of operation is national touring. The annual touring activities enable approximately 100 concerts in 40 different locations all over Finland. The concerts mainly take place in their member organizations. Tours include both in-house productions and collaborations with external producers.
Photo: Venla Helenius