Singer, composer, bandleader Maja Mannila’s trio represents Finland at the Nordic Jazz Comets event in Stockholm and Gävle on May 11–12. The event is a part of the two-year project Nordic Jazz Comets Dagsverke, which is steered by the five Nordic jazz organizations. In the project, Nordic bands learn about sustainability projects, meet colleagues and promoters, and play at a showcase. Maja Mannila and Jazz Federation’s producer Raisa Siivola share their thoughts about the upcoming event on the project website.
Photo by Oscar Grönroos.
The Nordic showcase of 2023 takes place in Gävle on May 12, as a part of the Swedish jazz association’s annual Jazzfesten event. The Nordic jazz promoter network selected five ensembles out of the 69 applicants to participate in the event. Finnish new jazz is well represented by Maja Mannila‘s trio, that features also drummer Severi Sorjonen and bassist Johannes Granroth.
The event is a part of the Nordic Jazz Comets Dagsverke project. The two-year project broadens the focus of Nordic co-operation from artistic and collegial aspects to social and ecological sustainability.
In addition to the concert and networking events, all the five Nordic Jazz Comets bands spend a ”dagsverke” day in Stockholm on the previous day. Dagsverke is a traditional Nordic concept for working one day for free, for the common good. The participants learn about various projects and services that promote social justice and community welfare. The stakeholders of the projects are invited to the showcase on the following day in Gävle.
Maja Mannila is a charismatic vocalist, pianist and composer. With her trio, she performs her original songs in English. Mannila’s compositions are a blend of R’n’B, soul, jazz and gospel music. In addition to her trio, Mannila is a member of the energetic Peela, a sextet that features also her trio bandmates. June 2022 saw the release of Up & Down, Mannila’s debut as a band leader.
Other handpicked Comets of 2023 at the Gävle Konserthus are ”revolution jazz” playing ALAWARI sextet from Denmark, pianist-vocalist Gunnarsson’s Fanny Gunnarsson Quartet from Sweden, eccentric and highly productive pianist Magnús Jóhann’s trio, and Trondheim-hailing saxophonist’s Mona Krogstad Quartet from Norway.
Maja Mannila and Jazz Federation’s producer Raisa Siivola were interviewed for an article on the Nordic Jazz Comets website. You can access the story via the link below. The article is in English. On the website you can find more information of the project and the bands. The link opens in a new window.
Link to Nordic Jazz Comets website
Nordic Jazz Comets x Jazzfesten
Showcase on May 12, 2023, Gävle Konserthus
ALAWARI (DEN)
Fanny Gunnarsson Quartet (SWE)
Mona Krogstad Quartet (NOR)
Magnús Jóhann (ICE)
Maja Mannila (FIN)
Information about the Nordic Jazz Comets co-operation:
Raisa Siivola, producer-publicist at Finnish Jazz Federation, Raisa.siivola@jazzfinland.fi
Information about the 2023 event:
Lisa Löfgren, producer at Svensk Jazz, Lisa@svenskjazz.se
The Nordic Culture Point awarded a grant for the Nordic Jazz Comets Dagsverke project in 2022–2023. Finnish Jazz Federation, among other Nordic national organizations, Jazz Danmark, Svensk Jazz, Norsk jazzforum and FÍH – Iceland Jazz, form the steering and co-funding group of the project. Dagsverke is a continuation to the 2020–2021 NJC project In The Key Of Green, that studied the environmental impact of touring. The 2022 Dagsverke event took place in Copenhagen, Denmark, and Finland was represented there by Adele Sauros Quartet.