Helsinkians will soon be able to jam along to jazz tunes at the Abattoir (goes by the name Teurastamo in Finnish) on the 22nd of July, as the food culture mecca introduces a new open air music festival by the name of Teurastamo Jazz. The stage will play host to a high-quality line-up of internationally famous jazz artists, with performers hailing from Finland and Italy. During the evening the terraces located alongside Kalasatama will welcome visitors in to taste summery delicacies, from pizza cooked in a wood-fired oven from Naples to Jädelino’s artisan ice cream. Like most of Teurastamo’s communal activities, this event is open for all and free to attend.
The event will be opened by the SteelNovo Trio from Italy, whose founding member, Bruno Erminero, will surprise and delight music lovers with his Hammond organ. Founded in 2012, the group’s compositions and creative guitar rhythms come from the experienced hands of Giuliano Graziani. The trio, which is completed by percussionist-drummer Tiziano Tetro, aims to revitalise yet honour jazz traditions.
Creative group music will also be provided by the Rinaldi Luhtala Jazz Project, which was founded when pianist Karri Luhtala moved to the Rome region of Italy in 2006 to study the jazz piano. Whilst studying he met fellow student Valeria Rinaldi, a gifted young jazz singer, and the voice of the Rinaldi Luhtala Jazz Project. Even in the early days, the duo’s plan was to bring their own roots to their music, and for the end result to combine Scandinavian seasonings with Italian delicacies. They are best known for their album Terranova, which featured new, previously-unreleased compositions by both Karri and Valeria, such as the duo’s own interpretations of well-known Finnish folk songs.
The stage will also be home to the critically acclaimed Manuel Dunkel - Alexi Tuomarila Quartet, with tenor saxophonist Manuel Dunkel and composer-pianist Alexi Tuomarila combining their power and creativity. Their performance is guaranteed to provide melodic, energetic and modern jazz music. Dunkel became known in Finland in the 90s, and has played in the UMO Jazz Orchestra, as well as number of other ensembles. Known for their virtuosic and soulful expression, Dunkel and Tuomarila will have swinging support from young talent Joonas Tuuri and one of Finland’s most distinctive drummers, Mika Kallio.
Throughout Friday evening the tables of Teurastamo’s restaurant will be bedecked with delicious treats such as pizza from a Neapolitan wood-fired pizza oven, as well as delights from the barbecue, with something to suit vegetarians, vegans and meat-eaters alike. Grab a pink grapefruit long drink, created by Helsinki Distilling Company, to wash it all down, and a scoop of Jädelino’s official jazz ice cream for dessert.
Teurastamo Jazz
22nd of July 2016, 4PM-10PM