In the autumn program of the OMJ Jazz & Etno concert series, traditions blend with the modern. During the autumn season of the year-round concert series produced by the Oulu Music Festival Foundation, there will be a mix of jazz and folk music gems from both Finland and abroad.
The OMJ Jazz & Etno concert series, produced by the Oulu Music Festival Foundation, is filling the autumn with folk music and jazz. In the autumn of 2023, the concert series will feature 12 concerts that range from folk dance music to jazz and even electronic beats.
The autumn season of the concert series kicks off on September 6th with jazz singer Riikka Keränen, whose music combines elements of post-bop jazz with a pop-oriented approach and sensitivity. The English-language stories in Keränen's concert cover emotional exploration from the rainforests of Cameroon to ancient times, including the era of pharaohs and Queen Nefertiti.
Stories are also strongly present in the next concert of the series, where Mexican jazz guitarist Héctor Lepe and his band will be heard. Most of the compositions on the album "Pedro’s Dream" draw inspiration from Mexican folk tradition and literature. Lepe's album takes the listener on a profound journey into the mystical tales and landscapes of Mexico.
Northern mystique, catchy melodies, and free improvisation – these are the elements that the Case Kämäräinen ft. Severi Pyysalo ensemble draws from for their music. They continue the concert series on September 20th. The concert will feature both new and old music from the ensemble's repertoire. Special guests include vibraphonist Severi Pyysalo and bassist Antti Lötjönen.
During the autumn, both bands and artists will be celebrated. The folk music duo Aallotar will celebrate their 10th anniversary in 2023, and they can be heard in the OMJ Jazz & Etno series on September 27th. International guests will also be featured this year, as iconic musician and clarinetist Louis Sclavis, who turns 70 this year, will come to Oulu with his jazz quartet on October 4th.
Surprising combinations, exciting soundscapes
The OMJ Jazz & Etno concerts surprise by combining old and new, traditional and modern. This is especially true for the Sähköpaimen trio's concert on October 11th: Sähköpaimen presents archaic electronic music by combining Finnish, Karelian, and Ingrian traditional music, live looping, effects, machine beats, and soundscaping.
After Sähköpaimen, the concert series continues with jazz: The F# feat. Pepa Päivinen concert on October 17th creates exciting soundscapes, tight grooves, beautiful melodies, and captivating textures spontaneously. Representing a unique and strong vision in contemporary Finnish jazz, Tuomas Paukku Scription captivates listeners on November 1st.
Folk music enthusiasts will also have a chance to dance as the versatile group of five folk musicians, 5/5, will be heard on November 8th. Their music is based on an energetic mix of traditional Finnish folk dance music and American bluegrass.
Jazz and folk music come together in a concert on November 15th, when Finland's most legendary folk music ensemble, JPP, joins forces with the better-known vibraphonist Panu Savolainen from the jazz side. The concert will feature both jazz improvisation and the Kaustinen fiddling tradition, which is listed in UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
The two final concerts of the series in the autumn of 2023 return to jazz: Pianist Juho Valjakka, along with bassist Oskari Siirtola and drummer Anssi Tirkkonen, will perform on November 29th. The autumn season of the concert series concludes on December 13th with the stunning Silva Kallionpää Quartet, which is unafraid to push its boundaries. The ensemble's unique collective sound and rule-breaking expression touch and challenge listeners universally, regardless of background.
Music tells stories, and every performance adds new nuances to those stories.
All OMJ Jazz & Etno series concerts are held at RioLive (Hallituskatu 11) at 19:00. For more information about the concerts and other activities of the Oulu Music Festival, visit the Oulu Music Festival website: www.omj.fi