Jazz Finland Live

Lizz Wright’s Finnish debute with her own band!

The dark-voiced singer who enchanted the sold out Huvila marquee at the Helsinki Festival in 2019 will perform at April Jazz in Espoo!

Lizz Wright culls inspiration from her Southern upbringing in Georgia where she was the musical director of a small church in which her father was the pastor. Gospel music, and the call and response singing with the church congregation, informed her first brushes with music. At home, Wright was exposed to a variety of music, especially jazz and soul. Soon she was wading through The Great American Songbook on her way to a successful singing career. In addition to strong gospel influences, Wright's soulful sound also contains jazz, blues and R&B.

Wright moved to Atlanta in the late 1990s to study at Georgia State University and sang mostly jazz, both solo and as part of the popular local band In The Spirit. In 2002 Wright made a name for herself nationally as a vocalist with a touring concert tribute to Billie Holiday, where her poised performance stole the show. A year later she signed with Verve Records for the release of Salt, which topped Billboard’s contemporary jazz charts and became one of the most praised albums of 2003. Twenty years and six albums later, Lizz Wright has demonstrated that she is a top notch songwriter as well as an unmatched interpreter of songs.

Lizz Wright, vocals (US)
Kenny Banks Sr., piano (US)
Adam Levy, guitar (US)
Ben Zwerin, bass (FR)
Michael Jerome Moore, drums (US)

Tickets €55/49 + order fees (from €1.50), Lippu.fi
Duration approx. 1h 30min, no intermission

Open event

Steve Coleman And Five Elements

Steve Coleman is the undisputed protagonist of contemporary jazz. Capable of mixing jazz with hip-hop and the rhythms of funk, Coleman was able to study the great masters such as John Coltrane, Charlie Parker, Duke Elllington and Charles Mingus and develop a very personal style. In his long career, the saxophonist from Chicago has worked to keep his artistic horizons open, so as not to remain a prisoner in the comfortable traps of acquired patterns. Leader of numerous formations, since 1981 Coleman has carried out, with the Five Elements, a complex work of experimentation.

Steve Coleman, alto saxophone (US)
Jonathan FInlayson, trumpet (US)
Rich Brown, bass (CA)
Sean Rickman, rummut (US)

Verneri Pohjola

Performing solo is truly an art for masters, which suits trumpeter Verneri Pohjola particularly well. In a solo performance, Pohjola’s diverse sound palette and technique is given a spotlight that it deserves. The lyrical melodies are weaved into more unconventional trumpet techniques and electronics, creating a vivid musical experience.

The unique sound and style of trumpeter and composer Verneri Pohjola is immediately recognizable. His work communicates particular depth, warmth and humanness through eloquent improvisation. Pohjola has had continuous success in making improvisation and jazz music approachable for audiences across genres, while never losing will to explore and surprise. During his career, Pohjola has played in acclaimed jazz groups such as Ilmiliekki Quartet, Quintessence and Q-Continuum. He was rewarded with Emma-award for his record “Bullhorn” in 2015 and Yrjö-award in 2017.

Verneri Pohjola, trumpet, electronics

Tickets €35/29 + booking fee (from. €1,50), Lippu.fi
Duration appr. 2h 45min, incl. intermission

7:30PM Doors
8PM Verneri Pohjola
Intermission
9.30PM Steve Coleman And Five Elements

Open event

Coming to Finland for the first time, The Baylor Project is currently one of the most sought-after jazz ensembles of the moment. Six years ago, Yellowjackets drummer Marcus Baylor founded The Baylor Project with his wife, singer Jean Baylor. The elegant and balanced mix of jazz, gospel, blues and soul has brought the group's three albums a total of six Grammy nominations in the categories of best vocal jazz album and best traditional R&B performance. Their outstanding live performances have earned them standing ovations around the world, whether performing to the thousands of listeners at world-class festivals or to small attentive audiences in cosy jazz clubs.

Man and woman. Spouses. Marcus and Jean Baylor. Their duo is based on love, family, faith, culture and community. This wonderful collaboration of partners in life is born from the heart and soul of jazz. At their performances they charm the audience with their impeccable musicianship, cherished fellow musicians and stylish stage presence.

Jean Baylor, vocals
Marcus Baylor, drums
Terry Brewer, piano
Yasushi Nakamura, double bass
Keith Loftis, saxophone

Tickets 39 € + booking fee (from 1,50 €), Lippu.fi / G Livelab online store.
Includes 3 € cloak room service fee
Duration 1h 15min, no intermission

Open event

TICKETS €15 / €10

Labor Day is again the UNESCO's International Jazz Day. Kuopio Jazz & Blues ry and Savonia Swing Band are taking a headstart into the festivies on Friday.

The band, whose roots go back to the early 1990s, consist of Kuopio jazz legends Mikko Pasanen (piano), Jarmo Hiekkala (bass), Mika Hietala (drums), Tapani Heiskanen (trumpet), Pekka Toivanen (saxophones and clarinet) and Mikko Toivanen (saxophones) arrangements). Vocal soloist is Teija Korhonen from Kuopio.

Savonia Swing Band's music is swinging jazz that draws heavily on tradition, from New Orleans-style playing to the mainstream. the repertoire also includes a few great compositions by West Coast jazzmen (Shorty Rogers, Bill Holman, Pete Rugolo, Marty Paich).

The concert is supported by the city of Kuopio, MES
organized by Kuopio Jazz & Blues ry

Open event

Tickets 28 €

Award-winning vocalist and musical chameleon Emma Salokoski joins forces with guitar virtuoso Jarmo Saari for an intensive duo with an orchestral sound.

In addition to her long-spanning solo career, Salokoski is known in Finland for her inspired work with Ilmiliekki Quartet, Quintessence and Emma Salokoski Ensemble to mention a few. She has performed at main stages of rock and pop festivals as well as concert houses all over the country.

Jarmo Saari is known for his visual compositional style, layered sound collages, imaginary experiments and intensive and charismatic stage presence.

The two will release their first duo album in March 2023.

Open event

Open event