Jazz Finland Live

Joonatan Rautio – saxophones
Mikael Svarvar – vocals, keys
Martin Söderbacka – guitar
Eevalotta Matikainen – bass
Toni Porthén – drums

Free entry!

The Finnish Jazz Federation warmly welcomes you to the 17th Jazz-Espa Festival. The two-week concert series sees twenty Finnish jazz acts entertain music-lovers this summer on the Espa Stage in the Esplanadi Park. All Jazz-Espa concerts are accessible, free of charge and open to all ages. In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Finnish Jazz Federation, Jazz-Espa dresses up to a Jazz Federation's colours and turns up the volume by presenting as many as three large orchestras this year. The crown jewel of these big-band-sized ensembles is of course UMO Jazz Orchestra.

Wed 3rd of August at 4pm YNJC Finland 2016: O. Saastamoisen Orkesteri

Jarno Tikka – t. sax, Toomas Keski-säntti – p, Mikael Saastamoinen – b, Okko Saastamoinen – drs

The Finnish representative for the 17th annual Young Nordic Jazz Comets showcase is selected in a band competition. This year’s winner, drummer Okko Saastamoinen’s ensemble is a fresh take on dreamy indie pop-jazz. In October the quartet travels to Sweden to play at a showcase with four other Nordic jazz ensembles at Umeå Jazz Festival.

Wed 3rd of August at 5.30 pm Skalle & Sharon

Pauli Lyytinen – sax, synth, Tuomas A. Turunen – p, synth, Tatu Rönkkö – dr, perc

The mischievous Skalle & Sharon trio draw their inspiration from the Japanese manga and anime culture of their youth. The colourful and energetic cartoon world turns into distinctively 80s-sounding synth jazz. Skalle & Sharon’s second album, appropriately titled Music For The Japanese comes out this spring.

Jazz-Espa, July 25 – Aug 6, 2016

Espa Stage, Esplanadi Park

Concerts start at 4:00PM and 5:30PM every weekday (on Mondays at 4:00PM only). Saturday concerts are held at 3:00PM. 

Jazz-Espa 2016 programme:

Open event