Jazz Finland Live

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Django Collective Helsinki is a group of skilled professional musicians sharing the love for the passion and expression of Gypsy Jazz music. The Collective started out in 2011 and have since steadily been performing at jazz festivals, clubs and private occations. They're also known for hosting jam sessions in Helsinki which were a phenomenon of sorts for a decade.

At the monthly recurring club in Tenho the group plays the romantic, traditional and good-humored Gypsy Swing in the styles on Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grappelli from the 30-50's. The group is also merging the tradition with modern, more creative qualities of jazz expression with it's own original compositions, bringing into being the possible future for this type of music in a fresh way.

Open event

Open event

Tickets 15/10€

Led by bassist Kaisa Mäensivu, her internationally acclaimed ensemble based in New York takes the audience on a journey into the intensively flowing and surprisingly modern realms of contemporary jazz.

Bassist and composer Kaisa Mäensivu stands out as one of the most interesting figures in Finnish jazz. A graduate of the highly esteemed Manhattan School of Music in New York, she has made herself at home in the metropolis and its vibrant jazz scene. Kaisa's Machine performs Mäensivu's original compositions, featuring intricately woven narratives that showcase the bandleader's strong and stylishly expressive bass playing. The highly anticipated second album of Kaisa's Machine, Taking Shape (2023), has received acclaim in both domestic and international media.

Kaisa Mäensivu – double bass
Max Zenger – saxophone
Rasmus Sørensen (DK) – piano
Joe Peri (US) – drums

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A New Take On Tango is a tribute to two legendary Finnish songwriters, Unto Mononen and Toivo Kärki. The concert features beloved Finnish tango classics arranged with an experiential twist.

The collaboration of the UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra and Club For Five presents a new perspective on evergreens as a highly unconventional tango ensemble – a big band with a five-part vocal ensemble – combine Finnish tangos with anything from bebop to 1960’s Motown soul.

The arrangements for 16-piece big band and vocal ensemble were written by Mikko Hassinen, Marzi Nyman and Pessi Levanto, among others. The concert is conducted by Marjo Riihimäki.

Club For Five is Finland’s most popular a cappella group. The vocal group, which has been operating since 2000, has become famous both in Finland and internationally. The music of “Club” is not limited to just one specific genre – the band is comfortable with jazz, pop, rock as well as folk music or classical music. This virtuoso fivesome (Maija Sariola sopr., Saima Haapanen alto., Jouni Kannisto ten., Juha Viitala bar. and Tuukka Haapaniemi b.) has released 14 studio albums, 6 of which have sold gold. Club For Five’s performances are full of touching interpretation, insightful humor, supreme competence and captivating solo performances. www.clubforfive.fi

UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra is the only professional orchestra in Finland specialised in jazz and new rhythm-oriented music. The big band of 16 musicians plays about 100 concerts every year in Finland and abroad. The orchestra plays a diverse range of modern music that is on the pulse of the times. The programme consists from jazz to soul and classical music, mixing old and new in surprising way, from children to senior citizens. www.umohelsinki.fi

Marjo Riihimäki is a determined, energetic, captivating and swinging conductor. During the last twenty years, she has conducted e.g. Symphonic Orchestras of Kuopio, Joensuu and Mikkeli, Oulu Sinfonia, Pori Sinfonietta, and The Guards Band and The Air Force Big Band of Finland, Kaunas Big Band, and various choirs. She is a founding member and artistic director of Finnish Symphonic Wind Professionals. Riihimäki’s expertise is symphonic wind music, symphonic jazz, crossover and entertainment music combining musical genres. Film music and stage art projects also interest her. www.marjoriihimaki.com

Open event