After the longest period of exceptional circumstances it is finally time to gather to celebrate the 20th anniversary festivities of this exclusive jazz happening. Join the festival and enjoy August evenings in Suomenlinna and be catered to the musical offerings of Viapori Jazz!
Viapori Jazz is made possible by Rudus, Union of Industry, Nets, Ministry of Education and Culture, City of Helsinki and Maintenance Association of Suomenlinna.
The most recent sponsoring partner is The John Nurminen Foundation, which has contributed to the well-being of the Baltic heritage for almost 30 years. When purchasing your ticket, a donation of your choice will be forwarded to the John Nurminen Foundation’s efforts in the Baltic region. Please support the conservation of the Baltic Sea!
VIAPORI JAZZ 2022 PROGRAM
Jazz Island, photo exhibition by Maarit Kytöharju
This year’s festival presents the celebratory exhibition of the 20-year journey of Viapori Jazz. The Korppukuivaamo Hall of Tenalji von Fersen is colored by selected jazz highlights from the archive of ten years of photos by Maarit Kytöharju. Hard drives are bursting with the wide spectrum of Suomenlinna’s August atmosphere and top jazz musicians at work.
The exhibition is open for all during the festival week from noon until 5 PM and additionally in connection with concerts for ticket holders on respective dates.
TUESDAY August 23
Perko/La
Tenalji von Fersen
ages 18 and up / 32 €
7 PM
Jukka Perko saxophones
Mikko Perkola vocals, viola da gamba, electronics
Mamba Assefa percussion
Saxophone player Jukka Perko and gamba player-vocalist Mikko Perkola combine in their music different styles and time periods as 17th century lute songs and contemporary hits by Eppu Normaali are glued together with smoky jazz and polished with Finnish folk spices. The musical entity is ennobled by Mamba Assefa’s deeply colored percussion palette. Love has been marvelled at through the centuries and continues to be tonight when the tensions between baroque and contemporary, acoustic and electronic create a whole that keeps the listener engaged throughout the concert.
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 24
Veden päällä ja alla - Both Sides of the Surface
Tenalji von Fersen
K18 / 32 €
7 PM
Emma Salokoski vocals
Jarmo Saari guitar
The refined voice of Emma Salokoski and the ethereal guitarism of Jarmo Saari resonate with nuance in the bombastic vaults of Fersen at Viapori Jazz. This concert is not about soloists or accompanists but poetic virtuoso stylings of equal musicians. You’re welcome to lull in the net of consolation tempered by Salokoski and Saari as summer bids us its melancholy farewell.
THURSDAY August 25
Surprise Concert
Tenalji von Fersen
age limit 18 years / 32 €
7 PM
After the severe live music deficiency caused by the pandemic, the summer of 2022 may cause difficulties of choice in the public: which concert to pick? Ellington or Elgar? Parker or Puu? NO WORRIES: this concert is aimed with precision at every citizen unwilling to make the decision! No more box office hesitation between the Paulas Vesala or Koivuniemi, or wondering whether you’ll get your money’s worth. Book your ticket and come to Fersen with curious ears at 7 PM to hear the Viapori Jazz Surprise Concert that traditionally is the first to be sold out!
FRIDAY August 26
Äänikylpy / Bath of Sound - Ona Kamu Singing bowls
Myllysali
all ages / 16 € 5 PM
End the work week with an especially relaxing retreat by Ona Kamu. Time stands still as this actress-singer-artist produces healing vibrations from her singing bowls in the beautiful and resounding echoes of Myllysali. Start your weekend with a meditative sound bath in the magical circle of the Suomenlinna Fortress!
Tribute to Herb Alpert - Tero Lindberg & Tijuana GT
Tenalji von Fersen
K18 / 32 €
7 PM
Tero Lindberg trumpet
Jay Kortehisto trombone
Arttu Takalo vibraphone
Varre Vartiainen guitar
Harri Rantanen bass
Anssi Nykänen drums
Friday night fever takes over the old grain silo as Tero Lindberg drips honeyed tunes on the trumpet under the vaults of Fersen. Lindberg has gathered over one million views on YouTube and with his super combo of musicians now transports the listener on a 60’s Tijuana taxi to the great hits of world-renowned Herb Alpert. Those were the days when a band with no lead singer could hit the big bucks! Lonely bull! Love potion number 9! Taste of Honey!
SATURDAY August 27
Olympiad for Suomenlinna - Tommy Lindgren spoken word
Suomenlinna War Museum
S / 32 € 3 PM
Tatu Rönkkö percussion, electronics
Jukka Perko saxophones
The Olympic Games of 1952 brought modern architecture, new beverages and – most importantly – the ferry to Suomenlinna. The reminiscing of this beginning of a new era takes place in the War Museum of our fortress island. What better location for rap-artist and sports journalist Tommy Lindgren to reflect in the spirit of the Olympics what makes an athlete a hero? To whom is that heroism merited? Percussionist Tatu Rönkkö and saxophonist Jukka Perko offer some favorite tunes from 1952, all spun around their unique musical kaleidoscope, thus allowing the listener to marvel at the post-war wonders of modernism while being transported from the Helsinki Olympic atmosphere to the present day.
Jazz & Poems - Claes Andersson in Memoriam
Tenalji von Fersen
K18 / 32 € 6 PM
DJ Bunuel narration / poems
Riitta Paakki piano
Kaisa Mäensivu bass
Reiska Laine drums
Poet, humanist, psychiatrist and musician Claes Andersson’s art gets the limelight in the Viapori Jazz Saturday evening concert as Riitta Paakki Trio passionately delves into versions of his favorite tunes. Word mastery meets music in the Viapori evening as radio host DJ Bunuel reads poems by the late beloved cultural giant.
Timo Brass Band
Tenalji von Fersen
K18 / 32 € 9 PM
Esa-Pekka Tupala trombone
Aapo Wiksten trumpet
Danila Pushin trumpet
Lassi Silventoinen alto saxophone
Sami Leponiemi tenor saxophone
Casimir Ekman baritone saxophone
Ville Niemelä/ Sanna Sadeharju sousaphone
Oskari Auramo/ Aleksi Ylimäki percussion
This Saturday night is guaranteed to get you into the groove as Timo Brass Band takes the stage at Fersen. This internationally acknowledged, fresh and sporty combo promises to dance like hairy monkeys and pull you into their irresistibly fervent jam. If energetic, trendy, and fresh gig is what you’ve been missing, this party is for you!
SUNDAY August 28
Land of Canaan 20 years
Suomenlinna Church
all ages / 32 € 6 PM
Jukka Perko & Virtuosi di Kuhmo
The Jukka Perko and Virtuosi di Kuhmo hymn album Kaanaanmaa (Land of Canaan) that deeply moved Finnish hearts celebrates its 20th anniversary. The closing of Viapori Jazz fills our souls with the lovingly re-arranged solemn melodies of the album, as they resonate through the Suomenlinna Church. The echoes of the centuries-old legacy of these hymns make even agnostics believe in angels.