Jazz Finland Live

French jazz bassist Hubert Dupont  takes the audience to Mediterranean atmospheres with his band mates Palestinian oud player Ahmad al Khatib and percussionist Youssef Hbeisch. 

Tickets: 15 €, members 10 €, students 6 €. 

Pre-tickets at Levy-Eskot record shop. 

Open event

The November edition of HERD club series offers a fantastic musical treat as HERD, led by vibeist Panu Savolainen, is joined by trumpeter Verneri Pohjola, whose international career has never looked as promising as now. Known for his own eponymous quartet, Ilmiliekki Quartet and soul band Quintessence, Pohjola is currently completing a new album to be launched on the British label Edition Records. The club concert will feature new compositions lifted from the upcoming release.

One of the best-known Finnish jazzers, Verneri Pohjola (b. 1977) has released two solo albums; he has been selected as the artist of the year at Pori Jazz Festival 2004 and that same year Ilmiliekki Quartet was granted the prestigious Teosto award. In addition to Edition Records, Pohjola has released albums on the renowned German label, ACT.

HERD, founded in 2009, has, during their five years of existence, managed to win the renowned European Jazz Competition, perform at nearly every Finnish jazz festival and release two albums. This year they have been touring Finland actively with vocalist Aili Ikonen. Other collaborators include Jukka Perko, Zarkus Poussa and Timo Alakotila. The group is composed of Lahti native, vibraphonist Panu Savolainen, bassist Mikko Pellinen and drummer Tuomas Timonen. The trio first launched their popular HERD club series in September 2012 at Lavaklubi in Helsinki, and expanded in Lahti and Hämeenlinna in autumn 2013. This year the club series has its home in Lahti.

Verneri Pohjola, trumpet
Panu Savolainen, vibraphone
Mikko Pellinen, bass
Tuomas Timonen, drums

Tickets 14/7 €, pre-tickets at Tiketti 13,50/8,50 €.

Open event

Pianist Joona Toivanen and drummer combo Kallio Slaaki go on a Jazz Federation tour together this week. The tour extends to eight concert venues across the country.

Joona Toivanen, solo piano

Joona Toivanen released his first solo piano album 'Polarities' on the Swedish Footprint Records in late 2013. On the album, Toivanen explores new ground by studying the possibilities of the piano as an instrument. The release concert for Polarities took place at the Savoy Theatre in Helsinki on December 14 at the inaugural festival event We Jazz 2013. In November 2014 the solo project is heard live on the Finnish Jazz Federation tour.

On Polarities, Toivanen not only uses the traditional sonic landscape of the grand and upright piano, but also stretches the sound by the use of prepared piano and adding multiple layers into the music.

Kallio Slaaki

Mika Kallio - drums, gongs, bells, percussion
Anssi Nykänen - drums, percussion
Mikko Hassinen - drums, gongs, bells, percussion

Kallio Slaaki is an exhilarating exception in the field of jazz and rhythm music. Drummers Mika Kallio, Mikko Hassinen and Anssi Nykänen have made their mark on the Finnish jazz history with their unique instrumentation and dynamic improvisation. Their distinguished sound is Kallio's design and he also writes material for the trio. Kallio Slaaki released their debut album "Polymania For Percussion" on Fiasko Records in September 2013. The trio goes on the Finnish Jazz Federation tour in November 2014.

Tour dates:
5.11. Tornio, Musiikkitalo at 7pm, tickets 20/10/5€
6.11. Oulu, Oulun kaupunginteatteri, Pikisali at 7pm, ticketst 15/10€
7.11. Turku, Cafe Tiljan at 9pm, tickets 15/10€
8.11. Raahe, Raahe-sali at 7pm, tickets 15/10€
12.11. Joensuu, Konservatorion sali at 7pm, tickets 15/10/6€
13.11. Savonlinna, Wanha Kasino at 8pm, tickets 15/10€
14.11. Kuopio, Konservatorio at 8pm, tickets 15/10€
15.11. Kajaani, Kaukametsän Kouta-sali at 7pm, tickets 15/10€

Open event