The urban maritime city festival Turku Sea Jazz invites audiences to enjoy top music in the last week of July. The beloved Swedish singer Lisa Ekdahl, Danish bassist Ida Nielsen known as the master of funk and many domestic stars will perform on the main stage of Merikeskus Forum Marinum. Turku Sea Jazz will take place at Kirkkopuisto Terrace, Seili island and Forum Marinum on July 26-29, 2023.
Turku Sea Jazz kicks off with a free event in the magnificent setting of Cathedral Park Terrace on Wednesday, July 26, at 6 PM in collaboration with the John Nurminen Foundation. The evening will be opened by the “house band” of the Archipelago Sea Jazz festival series, led by clarinet master Antti Sarpila. During the concert intermission at 7 PM, a Baltic Sea-themed panel discussion will take place, featuring expert guests discussing the significance of marine research.
On Thursday on the sold-out concert trip to Seili island, master guitarist Teemu Viinikainen's unique solo concert will be heard in Seili church, and at Ravintola Seili the unique PLOP trio will perform together with Finnish jazz legend Junnu Aaltonen.
The main concerts of the festival will take place on Friday and Saturday in the Merikeskus Forum Marinum area on the banks of the Aura River. Top domestic performers Aili Ikonen, Timo Lassy Trio, Jukka Linkola Tentet, Johanna Försti, Ilkka Arola Sound Tagine and Teddy Rok will take the stage. The weekend will be crowned by the beloved stars of Nordic rhythm music, Ida Nielsen and Lisa Ekdahl with their bands, both performing fresh repertoire from their new albums released in the spring.
In addition to top music in the Forum Marinum festival area on July 28–29 delicacies and high-quality drinks from small providers take center stage. An interesting restaurant oasis is built in cooperation with the Turku Food & Wine Festival.
In connection with Turku Sea Jazz, a fully booked jazz camp for girls aged 10–15 is also organized in the same week. Double bassist Kaisa Mäensivu is one of the camp's teachers. Jazz Camp for Girls is a concept launched by Jazz Denmark in 2014, which aims to inspire young girls to jazz music and different musical instruments.
Turku Sea Jazz is part of the Archipelago Sea Jazz festival series that takes place in four locations and is built around the unique appeal of the archipelago and high-quality jazz music. In addition to Turku Sea Jazz, Baltic Jazz, Korpo Sea Jazz and Åland Sea Jazz are included.
Environmental responsibility is essentially at the heart of the Archipelago Sea Jazz events. The environmental partners of the festival series are John Nurminen Foundation and Pidä Saaristo Siistinä ry. In connection with ticket sales for all Archipelago Sea Jazz events, it is possible to support the protection of the Baltic Sea via Tiketti.
Turku Sea Jazz is implemented in accordance with the principles of a safer space.
PROGRAM
Wednesday 26 July
Cathedral Park Terrace, free entry6 pm Archipelago Sea Jazz All Stars7 pm The unknown Baltic Sea: Why is marine research important? – John Nurminen Foundation's discussion (in Finnish)8 pm Archipelago Sea Jazz All Stars
Thursday 27 July
Seili island12 pm Teemu Viinikainen2 pm PLOP & Junnu
Friday 28 July
Forum Marinum, main stage6 pm Aili Ikonen8 pm Timo Lassy Trio10 pm Ida Nielsen & The Funkbots (DK)
Forum Marinum, terrace stage7:15–7:45 pm and 9:15–9:45 pm Teddy Rok: Atonal Drums
Saturday 29 July
Forum Marinum, main stage6 pm Jukka Linkola Exams8 pm Lisa Ekdahl (SE)10 pm Johanna Försti
Forum Marinum, terrace stage
7:15–7:45 pm and 9:15–9:45 pm Ilkka Arola Sound Tagine
Tickets are sold in advance by Tiketti. When purchasing a ticket at Tiketti, it is possible to support the John Nurminen Foundation's Baltic Sea work.
More information about the festival and the program: www.turkuseajazz.fi
Archipelago Sea Jazz festivals are EcoCompass certified and members of the We Speak Gay community that promotes inclusion. Avoid littering and respect others. Let's make the festivals a wonderful experience for everyone!
Photo of Lisa Ekdahl