The Finnish Jazz Federation presented four talented, up-and-coming jazz groups in the Finnish YNJC contest at Koko Jazz Club on Saturday the 17th of May. The bands competed over a spot at the Nordic YNJC showcase at the Jazz Finland festival in September. The winner, Elena & The Rom Ensemble blended stylishly ingredients of Romanian folk music into jazz tradition.
The jury described the winner mature and unique, and their skillful use of Romanian traditional elements was appreciated. The jury consisted of bassist, club promoter Timo Hirvonen, saxophonist-composer Kari Heinilä and trumpeter Verneri Pohjola. Elena & The Rom Ensemble plays mostly vocalist Elena Mindru's compositions. The band members include Sampo Hiukkanen (violin), Tuomas J. Turunen (piano), Janne Tuovinen (bass) and Anssi Tirkkonen (drums)
Other contestants in the YNJC competition were Johannes Sarjasto Quartet (who were the audience's favourite), Grantstand Quartet and saxophonist Adele Sauros' Quartet. Sauros was awarded as the best soloist.
In addition to the Nordic YNJC showcase in September, the winner gets a grant, a concert at the Jazz-Espa festival, mentoring for international careers and a concert at the next year’s Finnish YNJC competition. All the bands also got personal feedback on their performance.
The fifteenth Nordic Young Nordic Jazz Comets showcase takes place during the Jazz Finland festival in Helsinki on the 18th of September. The YNJC showcase is a part of the programme of the Europe Jazz Network General Assembly weekend, and there will also be plenty of international jazz media reps in the audience. In general, the YNJC showcase is the perfect opportunity for a young band to present themselves to the industry and the wide audience.
Read more about YNJC: www.youngnordicjazzcomets.com