Jazz-Espa concert series
The annual Jazz-Espa concert series will once again present the best Finnish jazz in the Esplanadi Park from 25-30 July. The free concerts will feature close to twenty ensembles, with top artists such as Joonas Haavisto, Anna Inginmaa, Raoul Björkenheim and Riikka Keränen.
Organised for the 23rd time by Jazz Finland, the Jazz-Espa concert series once more brings the most current contemporary jazz artists to the Espa Stage. Jazz-Espa presents a versatile cross-section of Finnish jazz in the heart of the summertime Helsinki, easily accessible to everyone in the city.
The Jazz-Espa concert schedule from 25-30 July 2022 continues with familiar time slots: weekday concerts will be at 1pm, 3pm and 5.30pm. On Saturday 30 July, there will be two concerts, at 12pm and 2pm. All concerts are free, have no age limits, and are fully accessible.
This year’s Jazz-Espa opening day will feature Steinway Artist Joonas Haavisto with his trio, Anna Inginmaa and her ensemble treating us to her soulful vocal jazz, and the Charles Mingus tribute ensemble OH YEAH. The evening concerts feature shining stars such as Raoul Björkenheim and his ensemble Triad, celebrating his 40 years in the industry, intergenerational Nathan Francis Quartet, last autumn’s Yrjö Award recipient Mikko Hassinen with his brand new ensemble, Future Food Factory, and Josu Mämmi Trio with their fantastic melting pot of electronica, jazz and neoclassical music. The daytime concerts feature performers such as Riikka Keränen who released her debut album this spring, Mathias Sandberg who JAZZIZ Magazine described as “one of Finland’s best kept secrets” with his trio, Ostrobothnia Jazz Sextet, as well as the world music inspired Kokko Quartet.
Jazz Finland presents Jazz-Espa with support from the Helsinki Culture Unit. Event partners include the Savoy Theatre, Kappeli Restaurant, and Grand Rental Oy.