Brand new jazz comets are launched on their orbit on Saturday, May 9 at Helsinki's Lavaklubi at the National Theatre. Come and cheer for your favourite band to win the contest and represent Finland at the annual YNJC showcase!
Who of the four semi-finalists will represent Finland in the inter-Scandinavian Young Nordic Jazz Comets in autumn 2015? This will be settled at Lavaklubi, the Finnish National Theatre on 9 May.
Each group will play a short set, which will be reviewed by a jury of professionals, but the audience gets to vote for their favourite group. The night will culminate in a set by Elena & The Rom Ensemble, last year’s winner.
This year’s candidates for the YNJC final are as follows:
Filunki & Big Samuli King
Max Zenger - saxophones
Samuli Kivelä - guitar
Teemu Åkerblom - bass
Aleksi Kinnunen - drums
Jazz Fresh
Marek Konarski - saxophone
Arto Ikävalko - piano
Joonas Tuuri - bass
Ville Luukkonen - drums
Katu Kaiku
Mikael Saastamoinen - double bass
Erik Heikkinen - drums
Adele Sauros - saxophones
Miika Hyttinen Band
Miika Hyttinen - trombone, composition
Tomi Nikku - trumpet
Eetu Palomäki - piano
Mikael Saastamoinen - bass
Erik Heikkinen - drums
In the semi-final, each group is given a slot of 15 minutes, after which their performances will be evaluated. In addition to musical merit and performing skills, the group’s potential for an international career will be assessed. The winner will represent Finland in the Young Nordic Jazz Comets final, receiving also a monetary prize and a slot at the Jazz-Espa Festival on Saturday 1 August 2015 and at next year’s YNJC semi-final event. Instruction concerning international matters will also be organised to support the group to further their career. The second-best group and the audience’s favourite will be rewarded with a monetary price.
Organised annually since the year 2000, the Young Nordic Jazz Comets showcase event presents the best of Scandinavia’s young jazz talent. Such Finnish groups as Mopo, AR Quartet, Ilmiliekki Quartet, SUN Trio and Kvalda have been catapulted to big leagues from the YNJC competition previously.
The sixteenth Young Nordic Jazz Comets showcase will take place on 29 October 2015 at Klubi, at the Tampere Jazz Happening. All Nordic countries will be represented in this event.
Young Nordic Jazz Comets 2015
9 May 2015 at 7:00PM at Lavaklubi, Helsinki (Läntinen teatterikuja 2)
Free entry!
Filunki & Big Samuli King
Jazz Fresh
Katu Kaiku
Miika Hyttinen Band
YNJC 2014: Elena & The Rom Ensemble
For more information on the Young Nordic Jazz Comets:
www.youngnordicjazzcomets.com
Photo: Maarit Kytöharju