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| 20 Years of April Jazz Espoo From April 26th to 30th the Finnish spring will welcome its first major music festival, the 20th April Jazz Espoo. April Jazz has become established as the largest annual jazz event of the Helsinki Metropolitan Area. The Espoo Cultural Centre hosts the main concerts. This year the main artists at the cultural centre are Lee Konitz Trio and Dianne Reeves Strings Attached featuring Russell Malone and Romero Lubambo and multi-reedman Chico Freeman, who will play with Espoo Big Band. Finland's famous pianist Iiro Rantala has vocal ensemble Rajaton, Felix Zenger-beatbox and Jukka Orma as his guests this year. Other domestic jazz virtuosos represent Lenni-Kalle Taipale Trio, Emma Salokoski & Ilmiliekki Quartet and Marzi, who releases his first solo album in the end of March. The program in the Outokumpu jazz marquee is very varied and different; music varies from afro rhythms to swing and blues. The legend of ethno music Mory Kante with his band will open the marquee on Wednesday 26th with their colourful show. Kool & The Gang's former legendary voice James "J.T." Taylor leads the audience to the sound of rhythm and blues on Thursday. Marquee's latin tradition represents Cuban Arturo "the King of Trumpet" Sandoval with his band. One of the today's leading blues artists Mighty Sam McClain & Band and 8 musicians band Red Hot Skillet Lickers with their vocalist Lavay "Diva of Swing Scene" Smith from Los Angeles has to get picked from the list of the artists in the jazz marquee as well. Espoo Pop and Jazzschool Ebeli will introduce an international artist at the concert on Saturday. But who will it be, come and see! On Sunday, on the Finnish Labour Day, we'll celebrate it with the whole family in the Outokumpu jazz marquee accompanied with Tijuana Taxi feat. M.A. Numminen and Antti Sarpila Swing Band etc. The program at the festival club Tapiola Garden Night Club will focus on more traditional jazz, starring Mandy Gaines and Lavay Smith. Also Brazilian guitarist Yamandu Costa with his trio and traditional jazz playing Norwegian Ytre Suloens Jazz-ensemble with special vocalist Tricia Boutté from New Orleans are playing in Tapiola Garden Night Club. Manu Dunkel Quartet hosts jam sessions in the small hours. The Sellosali at Leppävaara's Sello Shopping Centre has taken its place as one of the concert venues of the festival. In this April Jazz festival's 20th anniversary there will perform French Richard Galliano with his orchestra and Finland's most respected accordionist Kimmo Pohjonen together with French percussionist Eric Echampard. The concerts at Tapiola Church will continue as well, this year Trio Perko-Pyysalo-Viinikainen will perform there. write your comments about the article :: © 2006 Jazz News :: home page |