Jazz Finland Live

The Swedish Norrbotten Big Band takes the stage at Valve hall on Friday 9 May with a special guest, the Danish saxohphonist, composer and conductor, Lars Möller. Möller, who was initially inspired by American jazz, is one of the key figures of today's modern Scandinavian jazz.

In the concert we will hear Möller's compositions that draw upon an interesting source, "The Rite of Spring" by Igor Stravinsky. Möller has the talent to mix the American jazz tradition with African and Indian music and filter them through the Scandinavian melodic tradition.

As an instrumentalist, Möller can be characterised as both deeply expressive and rhythmically compelling. He has collaborated, among others, with Jimmy Cobb Group, Hermeto Pascoal, Jon Balke, Bobo Stensson, Anders Jormin, Martial Solal, Maria Schneider, Jim McNeely, Tom Harrel, Toots Thielmans, Katrine Madsen, Kasper Villaume Quartet, Sound of Choice Ensemble and The Danish Saxophone Quartet. Today, the artistic director of Aarhus Jazz Orchestra, Möller has also featured as a soloist in the Danish Radio Big Band, European Broadcasting Union Big Band, Copenhagen Philharmonic Orchestra and Athelas Sinfonietta.

Luleå-based Norrbotten Big Band is one of the highest-esteemed big bands of the world. Active since the 1980s, the orchestra had its breaktrough in 1995, with Tim Hagans at the helm. Norrbotten Big Band's collaborations include such giants as David Liebman, Joe Lovano, Randy Brecker, Rufus Reid, Maria Schneider, Carla Bley, Toots Thielemans, Kurt Elling and Dee Dee Bridgewater. The Grammy-winning group has collaborated with the Swedish Broadcast Company on a regular basis since 2000. Currently, saxophonist Joakim Milder acts as the big band's artistic director.

The concert is co-organised with Kulttuuritalo Valve.

Tickets 22/18 e at Valve and Oulu10 shops.

Duration appr. 1 hour, no interval.