April Jazz’s full program out now

April Jazz Festival will take place on April 21-29 in Espoo and Helsinki, Finland. The just released festival program is an attractive mix of stellar jazz performers from around the world and a versatile selection of fresh Finnish jazz music, world premieres and album release concerts.

April Jazz is an excellent place to hear and see what is happening in the Finnish jazz scene right now. Among the Finnish artists performing at April Jazz, pianist Jukka Linkola, bassist Antti Lötjönen, vocalist Aili Ikonen and pianist Aurora Hentunen will release their new album in the spring. Trumpeter Verneri Pohjola and percussionist Tatu Rönkkö offer interesting solo concerts. In addition, the program includes the world premiere of two commissioned concertos for a jazz ensemble and symphony orchestra. Between Dark And Light, a concerto composed by Alexi Tuomarila, will be interpreted by Alexi Tuomarila Trio and Tapiola SinfoniettaJukka Eskola, winner of the 2022 Yrjö Award, will perform as the soloist of Jukka Linkola’s new flugelhorn concerto. The festival's host, Espoo Big Band, performs with Germany’s leading jazz trumpeter Till Brönner.

The main concerts at the Espoo Cultural Centre feature fusion drummer Billy Cobham, singer Lizz Wright, the Austrian brass septet Mnozil Brass and the rising star fado singer Sara Correia. Other international artists are The Baylor ProjectSteve Coleman And Five ElementsSullivan FortnerJudith Hill, Dawda Jobarteh & Stefan Pasborg DuoYumi Ito and PoiL Ueda. Venues include Sello Hall and Espoo Museum of Modern Art in Espoo and Korjaamo Culture Factory and G Livelab in Helsinki. The official after party jam sessions take place at April Jazz Club.

Check out the full program now at Apriljazz.fi.