Mopo, Laura Annika Quartet, Nossa Bossa and the We Jazz DJs are to play at a jazz event, first scheduled for July, but postponed to 30 August due to challenging weather conditions. Thanks to new arrangements, the event can this time be transferred indoors if necessary.
One of the most innovative forces in the Finnish jazz field, We Jazz, takes jazz to the coastal island of Lonna on 30 August. We Jazz X Lonna is a new experiment, aiming to map the potential of the island – so far relatively pristine as a backdrop for cultural happenings – as a setting for musical events. The performers include three young Finnish jazz bands, Mopo, Laura Annika Quartet and Nossa Bossa, plus the We Jazz DJ collective. The event was originally scheduled for July but due to challenging weather conditions moved to 30 August. Weather will no longer be an issue, since due to new arrangements the event can be transferred indoors on Lonna, if the weather proves unfavourable.
Mopo, formed by saxophonist Linda Frekdriksson, drummer Eeti Nieminen and bassist Eero Tikkanen, belongs to the most popular Finnish jazz groups of the moment. Innovative and charmingly rebellious, Mopo was awarded with the Jazz-Emma prize for their sophomore, Beibe, early this year. At the We Jazz 2014 festival, the group played a striking marathon of 24 gigs in 24 hours around Helsinki, and other major festivals at which this punk-jazz trio has brought the house down include London Jazz Festival, Pori Jazz and Flow Festival. When playing live, Mopo always has a knack for surprising and engaging the audience.
Mopo Live at We Jazz -videosarjassa: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjigtPyc4mo
Perhaps best described as messengers of modern vocal jazz, Laura Annika Quartet have not been in a hurry with their debut. “Since the beginning Laura Annika Quartet has been a musical laboratory for me, allowing me to freely experiment with different ideas. Now along with the original material it seems that we have found our sound and reached a new level of sensitivity when it comes to communicating as a group”, says the group's leader, vocalist Annika Mustonen. In addition to her, pianist Aleksis Liukko, known also from group Tulilu that participated in the Young Nordic Jazz Comets competition, composes for Laura Annika Quartet. Liukko’s piece, “Mind the Gap”, was recently selected among the finalists in the Esko Linnavalli composition competition. Laura Annika Quartet’s rhythm section is composed of double bassist Joonas Tuuri and drummer Juhana Kiiski.
Nossa Bossa is a quartet led by vocalist Josefiina Vannesluoma (b. 1990). Drawing from the tradition of bossa nova and Brazilian music of the 1960s, they perform both classics of the genre and originals penned by Vannesluoma. The leading lady’s crew includes pianist Arto Ikävalko, bassist Janne Tuovinen and drummer Erik Heikkinen.
Nossa Bossa on Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/114971150
In addition to the three groups, We Jazz DJs treat the audience to the best of jazz vinyl. Known for their popular club series, which took place for several years in Helsinki’s Kuudes Linja, this summer’s jazz sessions at mbar terrace and numerous other events, the DJ collective has spun records at Flow Festival and Berlin’s XJazz Festival, for instance. DJs Eero Löyttyjärvi and Matti Nives also host their own radio shows: the former on Bassoradio and the latter on Radio Helsinki. Expect rare jazz pearls and sturdy swing from these gents!
Lonna is a delightful little island just a seven-minute boat trip off the coast of Helsinki, on the way to Viapori. Formerly a location for minesweeping, today Lonna has its own café and a popular restaurant, managed by the Top Chef star Jouni Rahikainen, both of which welcome the We Jazz audience to enjoy their delicacies and homey atmosphere.
More info on Lonna (Finnish only): http://lonna.fi
WE JAZZ X LONNA
Sun 30 August at 12-6PM
Mopo
Laura Annika Quartet
Nossa Bossa
We Jazz DJs
Free entry
The boat service to Lonna is operated by JT Lines. A return ticket is priced 7 € (children 7-16 years 3,50 €), timetables and further information: http://www.jt-line.fi/suomenlinna
Table reservations for Restaurant Lonna: http://lonna.fi
The event on Facebook
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