The Jazz Federation launches the Jazz for Kids concert series in Helsinki
The Finnish Jazz Federation is launching the Jazz for Kids concert series in collaboration with Helsinki’s cultural centres as part of the Jazz in Finland 100 anniversary year. The initiative aims in particular to increase children’s opportunities to engage with jazz culture across Helsinki, while also developing musicians’ audience engagement skills. The programme is supported by the City of Helsinki.
In the free-admission Jazz for Kids concerts, professional musicians perform their own original music at a child-friendly volume level in easily accessible cultural centre venues. Performing either solo or as a duo, the musicians will talk with the audience at the end of each event and introduce their instruments. During the first year, Jazz for Kids concerts will take place at Annantalo, Kanneltalo, Cultural Centre Caisa, Maunula House and Vuotalo.
Jazz for Kids Concerts, Spring 2026
Nemat Battah
Nemat Battah presents compositions from her solo career, also drawing inspiration from her trio Wishamalii. Using a looper and effects, she creates an intimate soundscape in which the traditional meets the new and the open-minded. Her music combines the aesthetics of Arabic maqam with the freedom of jazz improvisation, creating a deeply expressive and contemporary sonic landscape.
28.2. at 14.00–14.45 at Cultural Centre Caisa (Kaikukatu 4 B, Helsinki)
Max Zenger & Antti Ahoniemi
Known from the ensemble Mikko Hassinen Future Food Factory, saxophonist and woodwind player Max Zenger and double bassist Antti Ahoniemi perform the group’s acoustic and organically breathing music. The compositions are written by Teosto Prize-winning percussionist Mikko Hassinen and reflect his multifaceted relationship with nature. In addition, the programme includes nature-inspired pieces from Zenger and Ahoniemi’s other ensemble, Jazzup!.
20.3. at 18.00–18.45 at Kanneltalo (Klaneettitie 5, Helsinki)
Oona Mattsson & Riitta Paakki
Members of the newly formed ensemble Luotsi, alto saxophonist and flautist Oona Mattsson and pianist Riitta Paakki present a captivating selection of Finnish jazz originals as well as their own compositions in celebration of the Jazz Finland 100 anniversary year. The programme features both familiar gems and rarely heard treasures for jazz audiences, interpreted through a contemporary lens – looking not only to history but strongly towards the future.
13.5. at 18.00–18.45 at Vuotalo (Mosaiikkitori 2, Helsinki)
The Autumn 2026 Jazz for Kids concerts will be announced during Spring 2026.
The Jazz for Kids programme of the Finnish Jazz Federation and Helsinki’s cultural centres is based on a concert series of the same name that has been organised at the Espoo Cultural Centre since 2015 in collaboration with Ebeli, the pop/jazz department of the Espoo Music Institute. The concept was developed by the pop/jazz department Ebeli.
Photo: Nemat Battah. Photographer: Ali Amir