Quartet Ajaton on Album Release Tour in May
Celebrating its ten-year history and the release of its third album, Quartet Ajaton embarks on an album release tour organized by the Finnish Jazz Federation, with concerts in Tampere, Loimaa, Jyväskylä, Joensuu and Turku. The ensemble’s new album, Fin, aptly highlights the Finnish roots of its music in the Jazz Finland 100 anniversary year.
Quartet Ajaton is a group founded by vocalist Mia Simanainen, bringing together highly innovative musicians from diverse backgrounds who weave their talents into a unique whole. The ensemble’s intriguing combination of instruments is likely one of a kind worldwide. At the same time, the quartet’s new programme features familiar elements: iconic melodies from Finnish culture – tangos, Sibelius, folk tunes and cattle calls – echo, dance and surge; the music glows and chills, setting the listener’s blood in motion.
Cover of the album “Fin”. Photos: Heidi Strengell. Design: Tanja Ahola.
Stylistically, Quartet Ajaton is an independent trailblazer, and its ten-year journey culminates in 2026 with a new album release and an album release tour organized by the Finnish Jazz Federation. The group’s third full-length album, Fin, underscores the Finnish origin of its music in the Jazz in Finland 100 anniversary year. Following their previous releases Elixir (Eclipse Music, 2016) and Early Music in the Latest Way (Alba Records, 2020), rules are meant to be broken. The songs are performed in Finnish, Swedish and English.
Simanainen looks forward to the upcoming tour with her ensemble:
“Very soon life will be back on track! A tour is a wonderful opportunity for ensemble playing to grow into new frequencies, to deepen and transform. I’m excited to hear how our Finnish music will begin to live and resonate in the minds of listeners,” she says.
Quartet Ajaton
Mia Simanainen – vocals
Henrik Sandås – bandoneón
Kari Ikonen – Moog synthesizer
Aino Juutilainen – cello
Tour Dates and Venues
4.5. at 19.00 Tampere, Ylioppilasteatteri / Tamjazz ry
5.5. at 18.00 Loimaa, Heimolinna / Loimaa Cultural Services
6.5. at 19.00 Jyväskylä, Poppari / Jazz Jkl ry
7.5. at 19.00 Joensuu, Näyttämö / Jazzkerho -76 ry
8.5. at 19.00 Turku, Bar Ö / Jazz City Turku ry
The year 2026 marks 100 years since jazz symbolically arrived in Finland aboard the Andania ship. The centenary celebration, Jazz in Finland 100, will highlight Finnish jazz and its artists at home and abroad, recognising jazz as an integral part of Finland’s cultural heritage. The Jazz in Finland 100 campaign is coordinated by the Finnish Jazz Federation.
Cover Photo: Heidi Strengell