16th annual, Nordic jazz bands' showcase Young Nordic Jazz Comets takes place at Tampere Jazz Happening festival in October. But who will represent Finland there? Come to Helsinki's Lavaklubi on May 9 and find out!
Who of the four semi-finalists will represent Finland in the Nordic Young Nordic Jazz Comets showcase 2015? This will be settled at Lavaklubi, the Finnish National Theatre on Saturday, May 9.
Each group will play a short set, which will be reviewed by a jury of professionals, but the audience also 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:
Miika Hyttinen Band
Miika Hyttinen - trombone, composition
Tomi Nikku - trumpet
Eetu Palomäki - piano
Mikael Saastamoinen - bass
Erik Heikkinen - 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
Filunki & Big Samuli King
Max Zenger - saxophones
Samuli Kivelä - guitar
Teemu Åkerblom - bass
Aleksi Kinnunen - 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.
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!
Miika Hyttinen Band
Jazz Fresh
Katu Kaiku
Filunki & Big Samuli King
YNJC 2014: Elena & The Rom Ensemble
Read more about YNJC: www.youngnordicjazzcomets.com
Photo: Elena Mindru by Maarit Kytöharju