Jazz Finland Live

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After a long wait – and three released singles and music videos later – Icebreaker is finally here. Most of the tunes written by saxophonist Max Zenger and drummer-jazz lizard Fredator are based on icy themes, like Icehopping – the Monk-ish tune featuring bass sax. But the music itself will for sure NOT leave you cold! There are rhythms, sounds and crazy soloing for every taste. In addition to freezing stuff, Freezer's debut deals with important topics, such as climate change and peace. The harmony is taken care of by Mikael Myrskog on synths and Freezer's special guest Samuli Kivelä on guitar.

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Captivating audiences with her debut album A Vision of a Garden, singer and composer Riikka Keränen and her quartet embarks on a tour across Finland from September 6th to 16th. Initiating the Jazz Federation’s autumn season, this tour spans nine performances, reaching from Oulu to Espoo.

Presenting her modern vocal jazz with a refreshing pop sensibility, Riikka Keränen and her quartet traverse Finland from September 6th to 16th. The tour commences on Wednesday, September 6th in Oulu and includes stops in Raahe, Oulainen, Joensuu, Savonlinna, Kotka, Kuopio and Espoo. The tour concludes with a final concert in Turku on Saturday, September 16th.

In Riikka Keränen’s music, elements of post-bop jazz intertwine with tones and delicacy influenced by a more pop-oriented approach. With her quartet established in 2019, Keränen delivers atmospheric, modern jazz from her acclaimed debut album A Vision of a Garden released by Flame Jazz Records in February 2022. The English-language narratives traverse from emotional introspection to the rainforests of Cameroon, and even back in time to the era of pharaohs and Queen Nefertiti.

In addition to the album’s tracks, the concerts will feature unreleased compositions from the upcoming release. Through these new pieces, listeners will dive deeper into Keränen’s musical world and catch a glimpse of her unique creative process. Complementing Riikka Keränen’s ensemble are accomplished jazz musicians: pianist Juho Valjakka, bassist Jori Huhtala, and drummer Anssi Tirkkonen. Over the years, the band has evolved into a tightly-knit unit, breathing new life into the material from the A Vision of a Garden album.

Hailing from Oulu, Keränen is known not only for her solo career but also from jazz ensemble Signe and the groovy children’s music group Megasakki, which earned an Emma Award for their debut album in 2022. A graduate of the Sibelius Academy with a master’s degree in jazz music, Keränen has also studied jazz vocals at the Guildhall School of Music in London and the Malmö Academy of Music.

Riikka Keränen
Riikka Keränen – vocals
Juho Valjakka – piano
Jori Huhtala – bass
Anssi Tirkkonen – drums

Open event