Four-day jazz festival Turku Jazz 2015 starts today. Each of the four days has a theme of its own, reaching from world music and nostalgia to contemporary jazz and big band music, respectively. The concerts take place in the courtyard of Brewery Restaurant Koulu, and on the Night of the Arts in the Börs Park.
On Thursday, first in line is Kimmo & His Greek Ensemble, who treat us to a selection of gems of Greek music. Originally a studio project, the group gained so many fans after releasing their debut album early this year that they started touring and performing live. Along with the next band, the Helsinki-based Reporters, we are taken from Greece to the New World and the Cajun style seasoned with a few original flavours. This group describes their style as inspired by the Delta River boogaloo, rock and country music. The lyrics view melancholy and human relationships with a tint of irony and dark comedy. The night will be topped off with some searing-hot Afrobeat.
Friday night a nostalgic breeze blows from the 70s and 80s. Jahnukaiset, messengers of straight-ahead jazz, from Tampere play jazz with a playful glint in their eyes. After them the stage is taken by the very own beat poet of Turku, seer of everyday life, Markku Into, who has promised to recite – perhaps even sing – his poetry from the collection Blues One – naturally to the accompaniment of a blues band. The evening is taken to its grand finale by Jukka Syrenius Band, active since the year 1981.
Saturday will be begun by Aninkaisten Sävel in a free afternoon concert. The 14-piece borrows their signature sound from the joyful 1920s and 30s. For some years, the board of Turku Jazz ry. has chosen an artist, somehow connected to the festival, – an experienced veteran artist or a rising star – as the artist of the year. This time the acknowledgement has been given to guitarist Ilpo Murtojärvi who will also front his own quartet on Aura Stage on Saturday. Other offerings of the night come firmly from the vanguard of today’s Finnish jazz: Fifth Avenue and Koutus – both young but laready experienced and established groups.
On Sunday, the internationally recognised composer Vellu Halkosalmi – the Quincy Jones of Finland – has prepared a treat for us: a number of compositions and arrangements by his legendary musical idol from years 1956-1965 lifted from such albums as This Is How I Feel About Jazz, Birth Of A Band and Soul Bossa. A number of the arrangements to feature in the concert are original, given by Jones himself. Halkosalmi also conducts Turku Jazz Orchestra in the concert.
Turku Jazz has produced jazz events annually since 1969. Last year the Turku Jazz Festival was moved from early spring to August to coincide with the Night of the Arts, proving a success among the audience. Turku Jazz is a member of Finland Festivals and the Finnish Jazz Federation.