Koko Jazzin Kannatusyhdistys ry (Koko Jazz Supporters’ Assiciation) was founded on 5 March 2015 by Timo Hirvonen, Jouko Paananen, Severi Pyysalo, Arttu Takalo and Anna Veijalainen. Having operated formerly as a part of the KokoTeatteri ry, Koko Jazz Club becomes now a more distinct entity with the foundation of its own association.
The core of Koko Jazz Club remains as it was: the club will offer the best of jazz every week also in the future. Thursday’s concert series, dedicated to mainstream jazz, will feature more international guests performing with their most eminent Finnish colleagues. In addition to great concert experiences, the aim is to offer Finnish musicians possibilities to gain invaluable experience in international collaboration and opportunities for networking with members of the globe-wide jazz community.
The popularity of jazz brunches is on the increase. Tasty food and swinging tunes provide a framework for these family events on the last Sunday of the month. Also the smallest members of the family are warmly welcome to experience jazz music in the company of their parents.
Collaboration with UMO, the flag bearer of Finnish big band music, continues ever more intimately. Dedicated to big band music, Mondays at Koko Jazz Club follow the tradition started by Thad Jones / Mel Lewis Orchestra at Village Vanguard.
Koko Loft takes the audience to the world of free jazz and improv, guided by some of the best and most exciting artists. The concert series is curated by pianist-composer Seppo Kantonen. The last edition featured a veritable trouper, saxophonist-flautist Junnu Aaltonen with his trio.
The Koko Jazz Club website is currently available in Finnish, English and Japanese. In 2015, all live concerts have been streamed to a Japanese partner. Jazz tourism is a growing phenomenon and Finnish jazz is popular among the Japanese. Koko Jazz Club is doing its bit to increase the networking opportunities of Finnish jazz musicians also on this front. Ambassador Shinoda honoured the launching of the Japanese edition of the Koko Jazz Club website by his presence. The Helsinki-Vantaa airport is an important hub to Asian tourists, and Koko Jazz Club could well make one more draw that Helsinki has to offer.
Interested in becoming a member?
Koko Jazzin Kannatusyhdistys ry (Koko Jazz Supporters’ Association) is looking for members to support the activity of Koko Jazz Club. Members will receive two tickets to a special concert, featuring a notable jazz star, twice a year. The concerts include a full meal and support members are prioritised. In addition, members are offered sneak peeks about upcoming concerts and special offers at jazz brunches. The annual membership fee is 200 eur.
Those interested are requested to send a free-form application to the address timohirvonen1625@gmail.com.
The first members’ concert takes place on 23 July 2015 with Miles Davis’s trusted saxophonist Dave Liebman (USA) as a special star guest. Liebman will take the stage with three Finnish A-listers, pianist Aki Rissanen; drummer Jussi Lehtonen and bassist Jori Huhtala. Their album came out last year, and more recently they have dazzled on the continent on their European tour. “One gig with Dave Liebman corresponds to a year of studying at a jazz academy,” says Aki Rissanen. Liebman’s nickname “jazz warrior” is apt: he is a lecturer, musician and writer. He has been awarded with, among others, an honorary doctorate from the Sibelius Academy and with the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), the highest honour bestowed upon musicians in the United States.