The summery jazz concert series curated by We Jazz presents four young acts on the coastal island Lonna this July. JAF Trio, Maxxxtet and Bowman Trio play live on three July Wednesdays respectively and the stage will be warmed up by the We Jazz DJ collective.
We Jazz, famed for their pathbreaking ventures in the Finnish jazz scene, organises a series of jazz events on Lonna, a coastal island located just off Helsinki city centre, this July. Suited for the whole family, these jazzy afternoons kick off on 5 July and see a young top group give a live show. Before and after the shows, the audience will be entertained by waterproof jazz vinyl selections by We Jazz DJs. This summer, the programme consists of three bands: JAF Trio who made their stage debut early this year; Maxxxtet, quartet led by saxophonist Max Zenger and Bowman Trio whose first album came out on the record label run by We Jazz. The concert series will be a continuation to the one launched by We Jazz on Lonna last year. The events are free and the ferry to Lonna can be taken from the Market Square.
“Jazz events on Lonna count among the best-loved and most popular events we have organised so far,” says Matti Nives, the Artistic Director of We Jazz. “It’s great to get to introduce these three groups that we are so excited about to the audience. Each of them have their own individual sounds, and we think they belong to the future names of Finnish jazz.”
The series will be opened by the fresh new outfit JAF Trio, composed of Finnish saxophonist Adele Sauros and Danes bassist Adrian Christensen and drummer Frederik Emil Bülow. Formed by saxophonist Max Zenger, trumpeter Tomi Nikku, bassist Teemu Åkerblom and drummer Joonas Leppänen, Maxxxtet is a newish quartet whose debut album came out recently. Bowman Trio, too, issued their first album in autumn 2016 and their loft jazz sound has already been praised by no less than Der Spiegel, one of Germany’s most read news magazines. The trio is formed by Tomi Nikku (trumpet), Joonas Tuuri (bass) and Sami Nummela (drums).
The concerts take place on the terrace of the old industrial buildings of Lonna or, if the weather proves challenging, inside them. JT-Lines offer ferry services to Lonna, and the trip takes less than ten minutes.
Said about last year’s We Jazz X Lonna:
“Sunshine, sea breeze, happy people and live music – Sunday afternoon on Lonna is just perfect.” – Katri Kallionpää, Helsingin Sanomat / Nyt 14 Jun 2016
“The collective We Jazz has proven to serve the urban culture of Helsinki as well as solos do jazz, and this summer’s offerings are no exception.” – Pasi Virtanen, Jazzpossu blog 13 Jun 2016
We Jazz X Lonna 2017
Lonna Island, Helsinki
Wed 5 Jul at 17–21
JAF Trio
We Jazz DJs
Event on Facebook
Wed 19 Jul at 17–21
Maxxxtet
We Jazz DJs
Event on Facebook
Wed 26 Jul at 17–21
Bowman Trio
We Jazz DJs
Event on Facebook
Free entry to all concerts!
The ferry service to Lonna and back costs 4,50 € per person. Check the timetable on http://www.jt-line.fi/suomenlinna-vallisaari-lonna/aikataulu-kauppatori-lonna
Photo: Felix Zenger.