Kahil El’Zabar Ethnic Heritage Ensemble performed at the very first Tampere Jazz Happening in 1982. Now the ensemble returns to the festival for the first time in 42 years!
English pianist Zoe Rahman fell in love with jazz as a teenager after hearing it live. “What I love about jazz is that the character of people shines through their music”, she says in our interview.
Roni Kaspi discovered the drums at the age of seven in a music room at school, where she could try playing on her own time. Now, at the age of 24, she has just released her debut album and moved to Los Angeles.
Pianist-composer Aurora Hentunen has spent long periods outside Finland, especially in the Netherlands, and her near future will also include stays abroad.
“I strongly feel that why even practise this profession if not for trying to make a difference for the better?” Read our interview with accordionist Kimmo Pohjonen, who will perform at Pakkahuone with saxophonist Mats Gustafsson.
Verneri Pohjola has had an amazing year, culminating first with the composition HUSH by Kaija Saariaho and now with the release of his new solo album Monkey Mind.
Julia Hülsmann is one of Europe’s most successful jazz pianists, whose music has been described as poetic and airy.
Ukrainian harpist Alina Bzhezhinska will perform at Happening with her band HipHarp Collective and saxophonist Tony Kofi.
Guitarist Kalle Kalima keeps himself busy with a number of different projects. The end of the year will also see his 50th anniversary concerts in Helsinki and Berlin. Before that, he will bring his band Kuu! to Tampere and Finland for the first time.
For violinist Silva Kallionpää, it is important to make music with respect for its roots. A new album is on the horizon, and we might hear a taste of it already in Tampere.
