Tampere Jazz Happening 2014 has prepared a feast for fans of great music again. The 33rd Tampere Jazz Happening fills venues Pakkahuone, Klubi and Telakka with interesting names of modern jazz from 30 October to 2 November. The event will feature 23 bands in total, of which 16 come from the international scene.
From India to Sahara, from lazy swing to intense avant-garde, both ends of jazz and everything in between are represented at Tampere. This year, the guests include both legends and budding new groups, such as guitarist Bill Frisell, Linton Kwesi Johnson, the father of dub poetry, and ten-piece ICP Orchestra with a special guest Uri Caine on the piano. The festival is proud to host two world-premieres, too, when the U.S. star Terence Blanchard presents his new ensemble and the intriguing combination of two duos, Perch Hen Brock & Rain, take the Pakkahuone stage on Sunday.
Stars of world music, invasions from the UK and Norway
Zakir Hussain, one of India’s national treasures, is one of the most influential figures of today’s world music scene. His virtuosity on the tabla drum along with his supreme skills of improvisation can be witnessed this year in Tampere. Malian group Tamikrest is one of the fastest rising stars of world music. The music of these ambassadors of Tuareg groove echoes the sand storms of their native land as well as the best bits of Western-world rock.
This year, several guests come from the United Kingdom and Norway. Partisans, a veritable cult band, opens the whole festival, and Sons of Kemet and the original Django Bates’ Belovèd complement the British offerings at Tampere. Norwegian talent will be present at the festival from the first day on. In the free opening concert Elephant9 & Reine Fiske fill the Klubi with their intense prog-jazz, on Friday The Thing gives an example of how a robust language of free jazz can echo over all musical borders, and on Saturday Karl Seglem Quartet and Mathias Eick Quintet adjust the atmosphere just right. The festival programme features also Norwegian Farmers Market who enjoy the fame of one of the country’s best live entertainers.
New groups from Finnish veterans
There is a strong emphasis in this year’s festival programme on new, individual Finnish groups. The dynamic Kallio Slaaki explores the possibilities of a percussion trio, while Elektro GT plays rhythm-driven music with a high dose of electronic elements. Teddy’s West Coasters bring back the nostalgic moods of the 50s and 60s, whereas Mikko Innanen 10+ takes the audience on a trip to experience some intimate moments and orchestral climaxes alike.
Also, the Finnish Jazz Federation grants the Yrjö Award on Friday at Tampere Jazz Happening. Yrjö is the most esteemed jazz prize in Finland.