Helsinki’s Vuotalo offers a host of jazz concerts to every taste in the spring season.
Aki Rissanen Trio – Amorandom
Sat 24 Jan at 7:00PM, tickets starting from 15/13 €
Trio of big names gives us an unlikely jazz experience in this cinema concert. A short animated film Amorandom about two people’s encounter will be screened before the concert, and deconstructed and reconstructed by the jazz trio and the video artist Petri Ruikka. The result is a new alternative world where the trio induces the audience, too, to enter.
Aki Rissanen – piano, Antti Lötjönen – bass, Teppo Mäkynen – drums, Petri Ruikka – visuals.
Duration 75 min.
Ljuvligt & Gruvligt – Jazz på Finlandssvenska med Claes Andersson och Annika Cleo (Sweet and Terrible – Jazz in Swedish with Claes Andersson and Annika Cleo)
Sun 25 Jan at 5:00PM, tickets starting from 10/8 €
One of the figures of the Finnish cultural life, Claes Andersson, and the vocalist Annika Cleo have treat us to an entertaining concert of words and music. The programme consists of new songs, evergreens with witty Swedish lyrics by Andersson and classic pieces from Monica Zetterlund’s repertoire.
Claes Andersson - piano, Annika Cleo – vocals.
Duration appr. 70 min.
Rajaton Jazz Festival
Fri 13 Feb at 7:00PM, starting from 11/10 €
The international Rajaton Jazz Festival is organised for the 9th time at Vuotalo, This year the headlining artist is the St Petersburg-based actress and jazz vocalist Anastasia Trizna, backed by Rajaton Jazz Quartet, led by pianist-composer Valeri Nikitin. Expect dazzling swing standards. In addition to Trizna and the quartet, the festival features German quartet Dunkelquartz and Close Encounters Helsinki – St Petersburg band.
Duration 120 min, including an interval.
Hurri-klubb
Alvis´Dixie Stompers & Barbeque Jazzband:
Från jazzens rötter till svängande swing (From the Roots of Jazz to Swing)
Sat 21 Feb at 7:00PM, tickets starting from 15/13 €
This journey starts from the source of modern jazz, Mississippi, from where we travel through the swing era ending up in today’s jazz.
Duration appr. 150 min, including an interval. Doors at 18.30.
UMO 40 Years:
Jukka Perko & UMO - Dizzy Atmosphere
Fri 27 Feb at 7:00PM, tickets starting from 13,50/17,50 €
The legendary trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie featured UMO twice, in 1982 and 1985. Saxophonist Jukka Perko was snatched at the age of 19 to play on Gillespie’s 70th anniversary tour, and his membership in the orchestra spanned 1987-88. Having returned to his native country, Perko played in UMO until the year 1993. In this concert, planned by Perko, UMO pays homage to one of the greats of jazz, playing from sheets that Gillespie left in Finland during his visits. We will also hear Perko’s memories from his times in Gillespie’s big band.
Duration 90 min, including an interval.
Before the concert at 6:15PM Jukka Perko talks about the show and answers audience’s questions at Kirjakahvila Pokkari. Free entry.
Hurri-klubb
Mosabacka Big Band with Ida Boucht & Juki Välipakka: Cotton Club
Sat 14 Mar at 7:00, tickets starting from 14/10 €
Cotton Club was the most famous night club in Harlem, New York, in 1923-35. It played host to the biggest orchestras, singers, dancers, comedians and variety groups of the era and world-wide radio shows were frequently broadcast from the club by NBC.
Duration appr. 120 min, including an intermission. Doors at 6:30PM.
Maa ilmassa club
Trio Toffa
Sat 18 Apr at 7:00PM, tickets starting from 10/8 €
Ultra positive, hyper energetic and marvellously unpredictable afro-pop-jazz trio Toffa will make you smile, dance and carouse. Noël Saizonou, originally from Benin, will be joined by the Yrjö-awarded moog wizard Kari Ikonen and the beloved top guitarist Petri Kautto. The result is quirky, easy and joyful music and an event not to be missed!
Noël Saizonou – percussion and vocals, Petri Kautto – guitar and vocals, Kari Ikonen – Moog synth
Duration appr. 120 min, including an interval. Doors at 6:30PM.
Tuesday Matinée
UMO 40 Years:
Music of Jukkis Uotila
Tue 21 Apr at 2:00PM, tickets starting from 6/12 €
Drummer, pianist and jazz pedagogue Jukkis Uotila began his career at the age of 14 when he was involved in the foundation of the big band of Oulunkylä Pop/Jazz Conservatory. After this Uotila has been performing around Finland and the globe, and this extensive career and his manifold influences can be heard in his new compositions. We are in for music that draws from tradition but filtered through Uotila’s own strong vision, bearing his signature trademarks; outspoken melodies with multiform harmonies and backed by staunchly grooving rhythm.
Duration 60 min.
Before the concert at 1:15PM, Jukkis Uotila tells about the show and answers the audience’s questions at Kirjakahvila Pokkari. Free entry.
Address: Vuotalo, Mosaiikkitori 2, Vuosaari, www.vuotalo.fi,
Box Office: (09) 310 12000 (working days at 12–6PM), vuotalo.lipunmyynti@hel.fi and Lippupalvelu
How to arrive: Vuotalo is easy to reach by the tube and buses 78, 90, 96, 98 and 98A.
www.vuotalo.fi
https://www.facebook.com/VuotaloTiedotus