Suomen PerinneJazz ry invited Osmo "Osku" Rajala, the founder and editor-in-chief of Jazzrytmit magazine, as an honorary member of the association during its 10th-anniversary meeting in May of last year. Other honorary members of the association include Erik Lindström, Ossi Runne, Helena Siltala, Pentti Lasanen, and Seppo Hovi.
The presentation of the certificate of honor to Osku Rajala was delayed due to his stay abroad, and the event took place on September 16, 2023, during the Kuopion Wanhat Bändit event held at Peräniemen Kasino. In his presentation speech, the chairman of the association, Jukka Laitasalo, stated:
"Jazzrytmit magazine's founder and editor-in-chief, Osku Rajala, has significantly promoted and supported the activities of our association. The magazine has been one of our most important partners, actively covering our most important events and activities from the beginning.
Osku is a professional in the fields of communication, marketing, and jazz media, with over 40 years of influence in the industry. He can rightly be considered the 'Legend of Jazz Media' in our country. Osku is also known to the people of Kuopio as a music and entertainment journalist for the local radio station Oikea Asema, as well as a member/chairman of Jazzavo ry and Kuopio Jazz & Blues ry.
In addition to founding Jazzrytmit magazine in Kuopio in 1994, he has produced hundreds of jazz concerts and dozens of festivals across Finland. He served as the editor-in-chief of Jazzrytmit until 2022. An important support throughout Osku's career has been his spouse, Soili Vauhkonen, who, during the era of the print magazine, was responsible for tasks such as content proofreading. Soili is still part of the magazine's editorial team.
The magazine was produced in print form until 2008 and has since continued as an ever-updating online magazine at www.jazzrytmit.fi. Jazzrytmit has published over 9000 articles and album reviews, all of which are freely accessible. Additionally, its media library contains over 30,000 photographs.
Another significant achievement by Osku Rajala is the international Lady Summertime jazz singing competition, which he organized 14 times (1993–2009). The latest competition had participants from 16 different countries. Osku has been in demand as a judge for various jazz competitions both in Finland and abroad.
He has organized several reader trips and served as a tour leader, taking jazz enthusiasts to the holy land of jazz, New Orleans, and to the European jazz capital, the Dresden Dixieland Festival, among other destinations. Osku has also been actively involved in association activities in the field, including serving as the vice chairman of the Finnish Jazz Federation.
In 2022, Osku retired and transferred the publishing rights of Jazzrytmit magazine to Suomen PerinneJazz ry. Fortunately, we still have the opportunity to benefit from Osku's unique experience as the Senior Advisor and contributor to the Jazzrytmit editorial team."
You can read more about Osku Rajala's extensive career here.
Photo of Osku Rajala and Soili Vauhkonen: Martti Koljonen