TURKU JAZZ FESTIVAL 2025 – PROGRAMME

All times Eastern European Time (UTC +2)

 

Monday, 3 March

7 PM Monday Jazz Happening: Blues Ones + Jam Session
Rica Bar, (Kristiinankatu 5 b)
Free entry. Age limit 18.

In 2011, local poet Markku Into (1945–2018) published a collection of poems called Blues One (Sammakko), where all of the poems are named after a popular blues song. Drummer Kimmo Lilja assembled the Blues Ones group in honor of Into. The unique combination of Finnish poetry and blues was well received when the band performed for the first time in Turku Jazz Festival in 2015. Now the group returns to the festival stage with their 10th anniversary concert. The poems are interpreted by the versatile actor Valtteri Roiha.

Valtteri Roiha – recitation
Kimmo Gröhn – saxophone and flute
Timo Saarinen – guitar
Esa Salminen – bass
Kimmo Lilja – drums

After the concert, the evening at Rica Bar continues with a jam session.

 

Tuesday, 4 March

5 PM Listening party with Josefiina Vannesluoma
Jazz Office Turku, Forum Kortteli (Linnankatu 11)
Free entry

Turku Jazz Festival’s artist of the year brings her favorite records to the Jazz Office to listen to. What can be found in Josefiina Vannesluoma’s record shelf? Whose compositions have impressed the singer-flutist-composer, and what kind of stories are associated with the records? Come and enjoy a hot cup of coffee and a dose of jazz music history!

 

Wednesday, 5 March

5 PM After Work Jazz in Teatro: Flame Jazz Club All Stars + Jazzibelius
Teatro, Logomo (Junakatu 9)
Free entry

Last fall, Jazz City Turku opened the Flame Jazz Club for children and young people in the heart of Turku. A talented group of young club regulars, led by drummer Veikka Kajamies, will now share the joy of jazz in Teatro’s after work event! The show continues with Jazzibelius, an ensemble full of young talents from Sibelius-lukio Upper Secondary School.

7 PM Valjakka & Vannesluoma: En Soufflant
Art House Turku (Nunnankatu 4)
Tickets 15–25 € from Tiketti (both of the evening’s concerts with the same ticket).

In their new duo project, jazz pianist Juho Valjakka and Turku Jazz Festival’s artist of the year, jazz singer Josefiina Vannesluoma take a deep dive together into their own experiences with classical music. The French name of the concert, En Soufflant (eng. while blowing, whispering), refers to the duo’s shared background as classical flutists. In their debut, references to the flute can be heard in the flute-like tones as well as the inventive textures where the two clear-voiced artists challenge the traditional singer-accompanist arrangement.

Juho Valjakka – piano
Josefiina Vannesluoma – vocals

8:15 PM Joona Toivanen Trio
Art House Turku (Nunnankatu 4)
Tickets 15–25 € from Tiketti (both of the evening’s concerts with the same ticket).

Joona Toivanen Trio is releasing their new album Gravity in spring 2025 and the album release tour brings the group to Turku Jazz Festival! The trio explores the means of musical expression within the traditional piano trio frame in an open-minded way. Acoustic jazz becomes organically entangled with electronic elements in the group’s cinematic, ambient and surreal music.

Joona Toivanen – piano
Tapani Toivanen – bass
Olavi Louhivuori – drums

9 PM Turku Conservatory workshop & Jussi Kannaste + Jam Session
Rica Bar (Kristiinankatu 5 b)
Free entry. Age limit 18.

Saxophonist-composer Jussi Kannaste opens the doors of jazz music to the students of the Turku Conservatory during the festival week. On Wednesday evening, the fruits of Jussi’s and the students’ work can be enjoyed at the free concert at Rica Bar.

Jazz continues late into the evening with relaxed jams, where the festival’s performers, music students and the audience meet in whirlwinds of improvisation.

 

Thursday, 6 March

7 PM Ilkka Arola Sound Tagine
Utopia club (Humalistonkatu 8 courtyard)
Tickets 20–29 € from Tiketti (both of the evening’s concerts with the same ticket).
Age limit 18. The venue is not wheelchair accessible.

Ilkka Arola Sound Tagine releases their fourth album Adventures in the Now in the Turku Jazz Festival concert. The group plays adventure music full of emotional expression and irresistibly catchy grooves. Exploring his imagination and the fascinating sounds of the world, the bandleader Ilkka Arola writes strong visual music that takes the listeners to new places. The new album not only invites the audience to the dance floor but also dives deeper: the themes of the songs deal with the mightiness of presence, freeing power of letting go, diversity of life and the experience of time.

Ilkka Arola – trumpet, bouzouki, synth, vocals
Ville-Veikko Airaniemi – electric guitar, vocals
Esko Grundström – bass, synth, vocals
Juuso Hannukainen – percussion
Okko Saastamoinen – drums

8:30 PM Muscular
Utopia club (Humalistonkatu 8 courtyard)
Tickets 20–29 € from Tiketti (both of the evening’s concerts with the same ticket).
Age limit 18. The venue is not wheelchair accessible.

The album release party continues! The concert will celebrate the release of Muscular’s second studio album Muscular. The group’s sound is a mixture of electronic music with grooves of funk, harmonies of soul, synthesizer sounds from the future, deep basses, vocoded singing and sparkling arpeggios stirred with organic instruments. Muscular is led by keyboard player and pianist Ilmari Aitoaho, who has surrounded himself with talented musicians who give their own brilliant add to the music.

Ilmari Aitoaho – synth, vocoder
Veera Kaasalainen – vocals
Oskari Ruohonen – vocals, synth
Ukko Heinonen – saxophone, flute, synth
Lauri Laine – guitar
Janne Kinnunen – bass, synth bass
Josu Mämmi – drums

 

Friday, 7 March

7 PM Josefiina Vannesluoma & Mortal Lease in Chamber – Turku Jazz Festival’s artist of the year celebration concert
Logomo, Teatro (Junakatu 9)
Tickets from Lippu.fi, more info below.

In the opening concert of Friday night, Turku Jazz Festival’s artist of the year Josefiina Vannesluoma sparks poetry to a flame with impressionistic beauty, flamboyant improvisations, and sophisticated yet energetic ensemble playing with Josefiina Vannesluoma & Mortal Lease in Chamber. The Mortal Lease is an eight-part suite that Vannesluoma composed to Edith Wharton’s (1862–1937) sonnets. The suite was released through Flame Jazz Records in October 2023 and was nominated for best jazz album of the year at Finnish Emma Awards. ​The ensemble performs with a string quartet and a harp, and in the celebration concert they premiere new music as well.

Josefiina Vannesluoma – vocals, compositions, arrangements
Sampo Kasurinen – woodwinds, arrangements
Mikael Myrskog – synth
Joonas Tuuri – double bass
Ville Luukkonen – drums
Katri Tikka – harp
Aino Rautakorpi – violin
Juliana Pöyry – violin
Helena Dumell – viola
Saara Viika – cello

8:45 PM Manuel Dunkel Quintet feat. Peter Bernstein (FI/US)
Logomo, Teatro (Junakatu 9)
Tickets from Lippu.fi, more info below.

The second concert on Friday presents top moments of post-bop by an international ensemble! Saxophonist Manuel Dunkel has brought together a spectacular group of musicians and the talented and elegant US guitarist Peter Bernstein. The ensemble performs their own compositions as well as hand-picked jazz classics with a profound taste.

Peter Bernstein – guitar
Manuel Dunkel – tenor sax
Alexi Tuomarila – piano
Kaisa Mäensivu – double bass
Joe Peri – drums

11 PM Jazzkot: Turku Jazz Jam feat. Kalevi Louhivuori
Bar Fredrik (Linnankatu 18)
Tickets from Lippu.fi, more info below. Age limit 18.

The festival spirit goes on all night long with a hot jam session at Bar Fredrik! At the festival Friday after club, the trumpeter Kalevi Louhivuori shines as the soloist of Turku Jazz house band.

Kalevi Louhivuori – trumpet
Mikael Myrskog – Rhodes
Jori Huhtala – bass
Veikka Kajamies – drums

FRIDAY TICKETS (2 concerts in Logomo + Jazzkot):
Friday 40–49 € (incl. both evening’s concerts)
Two-day ticket (Fri & Sat) 70–79 €
Friday ticket + ”Jazzkot” after club at Bar Fredrik (incl. a bus transport, 10:30 PM from Logomo) 50–59 €. Age limit 18.
Two-day ticket + ”Jazzkot” after club at Bar Fredrik (incl. a bus transport, 10:30 PM from Logomo) 90–99 €. Age limit 18.

 

Saturday, 8 March

2 PM Jazz & Wine Tasting with Jussi Kannaste & Jori Huhtala Duo
Saaristobaari (Aurakatu 14)
Tickets 69 € (incl. 5 wines and salty snacks matched to the musical performance)
Table reservations: info@winevibetastings.fi. Age limit 18.

How does a glass of jazz taste? What does good quality wine sound like? Organic Jussi Kannaste & Jori Huhtala Duo plays biodynamically grown products of their own estate without any added artificial musical ingredients. The concert is complemented by 5 wines selected by the sommelier and savory snacks adapted to the mood of the compositions. During the experimential afternoon, stories about music and wine will also be heard.

Jussi Kannaste – saxophone
Jori Huhtala – double bass

7 PM Francesca Tandoi (IT)
Logomo, Teatro (Junakatu 9)
Tickets from Lippu.fi, more info below.

The festival Saturday in Teatro Hall is opened by the amazing Italian jazz pianist and singer Francesca Tandoi, who has been hailed by critics and peers as a rising jazz star being one of the most enthralling young talents on the international jazz scene. In just a few short years, she has earned international acclaim as a world-class pianist and vocalist and has performed with some of the finest international jazz musicians.

Francesca Tandoi – piano
Matheus Nicolaiewsky – bass
Sander Smeets – drums

8:45 PM Turku Jazz Orchestra feat. Paleface & Adele Sauros
Logomo, Teatro (Junakatu 9)
Tickets from Lippu.fi, more info below.

The Saturday night in Teatro Hall comes to a majestic end as the active political rapper and spoken word artist Paleface meets Turku Jazz Orchestra’s big band landscapes with the praised and talented saxophonist Adele Sauros as a soloist. The music for the big finale has been arranged by Mikko Hassinen, the fresh art director and conductor of Turku Jazz Orchestra.

Turku Jazz Orchestra
Mikko Hassinen – conductor, arrangements
Karri “Paleface” Miettinen –  rap, spoken word
Adele Sauros – saxophone

11 PM Jazzkot: Turku Jazz Jam feat. Jussi Kannaste
Bar Fredrik (Linnankatu 18)
Tickets from Lippu.fi, more info below. Age limit 18.

The festival fun continues until dawn with a hot jam session at Bar Fredrik! At the festival Saturday after club, the Turku Jazz house band is starred by the saxophonist Jussi Kannaste.

Jussi Kannaste – saxophone
Mikael Myrskog – Rhodes
Jori Huhtala – bass
Veikka Kajamies – drums

SATURDAY TICKETS (2 concerts in Logomo + Jazzkot):
Saturday 40–49 € (incl. both evening’s concerts)
Two-day ticket (Fri & Sat) 70–79 €
Saturday ticket + ”Jazzkot” after club at Bar Fredrik (incl. a bus transport, 10:30 PM from Logomo) 50–59 €. Age limit 18.
Two-day ticket + ”Jazzkot” after club at Bar Fredrik,(incl. a bus transport, 10:30 PM from Logomo) 90–99 €. Age limit 18.

 

Sunday, 9 March

12 PM Jazz brunch: Héctor Lepe Quartet
Art House Turku (Nunnankatu 4)
Tickets 39 € (incl. concert, brunch and a glass of sparkling wine)
Table reservations: pegasus@kahvila-otava.fi

The festival week culminates in Sunday’s delicious jazz brunch in the company of Héctor Lepe Quartet! The fantastic group of four creates a variety of sonic landscapes with original music that combines elements from Latin American music with jazz. The compositions are inspired by different art forms such as literature and painture, the result being fresh new music in which the band members own musical identity comes forward bringing the music to a new level.

Héctor Lepe – guitar
Max Zenger – alto sax
Juuso Rinta – bass
Teemu Mustonen – drums

The brunch buffet table includes cold and warm food options as well as drinks and delicacies. A selection of gluten-free, lactose-free and vegan options is also available. A glass of sparkling wine is set for the tables, a non-alcoholic option is also available.

Table settings at 12 PM
Music starts at 13 PM

5 PM Megasakki – Lentoliskoseikkailu
Children’s Culture Center Turku, Timantti-teatteri (Theatre in the Park)
Free entry, book your spot in advance here

In the closing concert of Turku Jazz Festival 2025 the whole family is invited to celebrate the album release by the children’s music group Megasakki! The new album Hei hai, Hui hai is filled with joy, rhythm and swing as well as fun lyrics and an entertaining show. The air is filled with magic as the audience gets to dive into the depths of the seas and fly up in the sky. Behind the characters are talented musicians Elina Arlin, Annika Tepponen,Vesa Ojaniemi and Anssi Tirkkonen.

The show is in Finnish.

 

FESTIVAL INFO

Turku Jazz Festival is organized 3–9 March 2025 at concert venues and restaurants all around the Turku city center.

ARRIVAL AND ACCESSIBILITY: LOGOMO
The evening concerts in Logomo are held at Teatro hall. Teatro also has a restaurant where you’re able to enjoy Neapolitan artisan pizza before or after the concerts. Entrance to Teatro is on the railway side of the building. More information about arriving in Logomo here.

By car
Logomo has parking areas on the northern and eastern sides of the building. There may be parking coordinators assisting during events. You can drive to Logomo from Köydenpunojankatu or Vaunukatu. Please note that parking is limited in the area. P7 parking area has charging stations for electric cars. We recommend using public transport, bikes or arriving by foot. Those arriving by car are advised to arrive early to secure a parking spot. Parking is subject to a fee.

Parking is also available in the Turku city center area or in the P-Louhi and Q-Park parking garages. The garages are within walking distance from Logomo, but you can also opt to take a bus to Logomo.

Disabled parking spaces are near the LOGI Hall entrance and close to Logomo Kitchen.

Local bus
Logomo is easily reachable from Turku city center by using local buses. You can get straight to Logomo (Köydenpunojankatu) from local bus lines 20 and 61. More info from Föli`s website.

By bike
Bicycle parking areas are located on both sides of the railway track close to Logomo. Bicycle parking is free of charge.

Taxi
Logomo has a taxi stand that is next to the building. A taxi can be ordered from the number 02 100 41.

Long distance bus
Turku bus station is located approx. a 12-minute walk away from Logomo. Use the pedestrian bridge crossing the railroads for easy access to the venue.

Train
Turku railway station’s services are currently located on Logomo’s premises.

Note: due to track work, the railway line is shut off between Turku and Kupittaa, and trains to Helsinki arrive and depart from the Kupittaa station instead of Turku. Traffic between Turku and Tampere is running normally.

Accessibility
The venue at Logomo is fully accessible with a wheelchair. Logomo provides a portable loop system for those who are hard of hearing. The device can be borrowed from the cloakroom. The system consists of portable receivers, which fit in a pocket, and a loop that is set around the user’s neck. The loop system works the same way as a built-in hearing aid and, therefore, your personal hearing aid must be switched to the ´T´ position (telecoil) when using the loop.

All toilet facilities in Logomo are equipped with separate accessible toilets. You can find the toilets by following WC signs. The disabled parking spots are located near the LOGI Hall entrance and at one end of Logomo Kitchen.

 

ARRIVAL AND ACCESSIBILITY: ART HOUSE TURKU
For Wednesday’s concerts and the jazz brunch on Sunday you can reach Art House Turku easily by walking, cycling or using public transport. The concerts are in the Main Hall of Art House Turku, 2nd floor of Factory building. The special nature of the Old Town makes private driving more challenging.

By bus
The Art House Turku can be reached by many buses. The closest stops are Tuomiokirkkotori stop on Uudenmaankatu and Kåren’s stop on Hämeenkatu. Bus timetables can be found on Föli map.

By car
There is no access to the courtyard by cars and Art House Turku does not have its own parking spaces. Closest parking spaces nearby can be found on Nunnankatu and around the Cathedral. You can stop at the gate on the Nunnankatu side.

By bicycle
Bicycles cannot be brought into the courtyard, but are recommended to be left in The Old Great Square frame-locking bicycle parking spaces.

With prams
Strollers etc. can be parked on the wall in the courtyard of the house.

Accessibility
The courtyard and the spaces are currently not fully accessible. Routes via Hämeenkatu, Nunnankatu and Brinkkala courtyard are made of cobblestone. The paving of the Art House Turku courtyard is made of cobblestone with sand and it’s slightly sloped. There is an accessible passage in connection with the gateway between the Art House Turku courtyard and the Brinkkala courtyard. The main entrance (A3) to the Factory building is accessible and there is a push-button for opening the door. In the building there is a spacious lift, but the door of the lift is heavy, the push-button is high and the doors do not open automatically.

There is an accessible toilet on the first floor. Other toilet facilities are located on the second floor.