New Jazz From Finland returns the 3th time to Opus Jazz Club on the 29th and 30th of November 2019, showing some of the greatest members of the Finnish jazz.

Ilmiliekki Quartet

Friday, 29 November 2019 from 20:00 at Opus Jazz Club

Ilmiliekki Quartet is one of the most beloved ensembles of Finnish jazz. Consisting of trumpet player Verneri Pohjola, pianist Tuomo Prättälä, bassist Antti Lötjönen and drummer Olavi Louhivuori the group is a key unit for each of the artists, and one of their original vehicles of creation since its formation in 2002. After two successful albums on TUM Records, March Of The Alpha Males in 2003 and Take It With Me in 2006, they presented their first new album in 13 years in April 2019. Land Of Real Men, released on We Jazz Records, is a milestone which will stand strong in each of the four musicians already remarkable discography.

Stylistically, Ilmiliekki Quartet range from the delicate end of the sparse contemporary jazz sound to the depths of Nordic fire music, always making music which is highly personal and melodic to the bone. The narrative of Land Of Real Men takes the listener on a journey much akin to the groups celebrated live shows, which are always a hit in their native Finland, but which have also taken the group to Europe, US and Australia.

Timo Lassy & Teppo Mäkynen

Saturday, 30 November 2019 from 20:00 at Opus Jazz Club

Combining forces as a duo these two household names of Finnish jazz, saxophonist Timo Lassy and drummer Teppo Mäkynen, are here to present their powerful music at full speed. Whilst sensing co-operation that has lasted over a decade playing together in various bands (Teddy Rok 7, The Five Corners Quintet, Jo Stance, Timo Lassy Band) there is a feel of freshness, excitement and something new when listening to debut album Timo Lassy & Teppo Mäkynen, released on We Jazz Records a couple of months ago.

Timo Lassy is perhaps the biggest jazz star to come out of Finland in the new millennium. His tenor sax sound is robust and confident, but never fails to engage emotionally. On his new duo album Timo Lassy & Teppo Mäkynen, Lassy moves further away from the cooking soul jazz he’s best known for, into free playing and sonic experiments. That being said, there’s still plenty of classic Lassy in the mix, keeping the heat where it should be. As a drummer, Teppo Mäkynen was a key part of the live band of The Five Corners Quintet, still the most internationally successful Finnish jazz outfit to date. Nowadays, Mäkynen mans the drum seat of not only his own projects, but also A-list bands such as Timo Lassy Band, Verneri Pohjola Quartet, Aki Rissanen Trio and Jukka Eskola Soul Trio. His playing is swingin’ to the bone, no matter what the style is.

New Jazz From Finland Afterparty w/ Matti Nives from We Jazz DJs

Saturday, 30 November 2019 from 22:00 at Opus Jazz Club

After the concert of Timo Lassy & Teppo Mäkynen, Matti Nives will be giving a special DJ set with his vinyl favorites to close this year's New Jazz From Finland weekend. Entry to the afterparty is free, please follow the Facebook event for any announcements.