The 37th edition of the Raahen Rantajatsit festival will take place on 23–25 July. This year, Rantajatsit celebrates not only the 100-year history of Finnish jazz, but also Oulu's European Capital of Culture year. As part of the official Oulu2026 programme, the festival has the opportunity to bring both sustainable and more unconventional ideas to life.
The 100-year history of Finnish jazz includes far more women musicians than is commonly recognized. To mark the Jazz Finland 100 anniversary year, Rantajatsit will host a unique panel discussion on women in the history of Finnish jazz. Musicologist, Doctor of Philosophy, and project leader of the research project Jazzlives of Women in Finland (1917–1939), Nina Öhman, will give a presentation on the role of women in the history and present day of Finnish jazz. Joining the discussion will be two of the leading names in Finnish jazz saxophone, Linda Fredriksson and Mikko Innanen.
The Oulu2026 programme also includes a free joint concert by Kimmo Pohjonen and the Raahe Region Accordion Club. On the festival Saturday, the theatre's summer stage will showcase how experimental accordion music can blend with traditional dance music. The Raahe Region Accordion Club orchestra and Pohjonen have worked closely together throughout the spring in preparation for the concert. The result draws on the greatest strengths of both, creating a unique space in between where each transforms the other.
The full festival programme is available here. Welcome to join us!
Photo © Ville Vainio