David Sanborn på festival i Finland

Vi fick en rapport av Esa Paavolainen från April Jazz Festival i Finland. Den är på engelska, men vi tänkte att vi kör den ändå.

The largest jazz festival in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area “April Jazz Festival” was arranged for the 29th time in Espoo during 21–26 April 2015. The event presented some of the most prominent Finnish and international artists including interesting rising stars. Espoo Cultural Centre in Tapiola and Sello Hall were the main venues. In addition to the concert program there were also organized jazz clinics which were run by the visiting masters and children’s events among others. As in the previous years, April Jazz was  hosted by the Espoo Big Band.

At the Festival the major international and Finnish attractions were among others: David Sanborn (USA, sax), Ruthie Foster (vocals, guitar USA), Antonio Sanchez & Migration (MEX/USA), Artist clinic: Antonio Sanchez (drs), Diane Schuur (USA), Master class for singers: Diane Schuur (voc), Tapiola Sinfonietta & Tim Ries (sax USA) played ”The Rolling Stones Project”, Ana Moura (fado POR), Anna-Mari Kähärä Orchestra, Manuel Dunkel Quartet feat. Anders Bergcrantz (trumpet, SWE), Espoo Big Band 35 Years Anniversary Concert, Featuring Junnu Aaltonen, Gerard Presencer & Conductor Marzi Nyman, Artist clinic: Felix Zenger (beatbox), Children’s Jazz Event,  Oregon (USA), Jukka Perko & Iiro Rantala, Artist clinic: Ralph Towner (gtr), Grégoire Maret Quartet (CH/USA) Artist clinic: Grégoire Maret (harmonica), Soweto Kinch (UK), Elektro GT, Tapiola Big Band, Ebeli in Concert and Akseli Gallen-Kallela 150 Years Anniversary Concert.

David Sanborn & Band
(David Sanborn, sax; Ricky Peterson, keys; Nicky Moroch, guitar; Andre Berry, bass; Chris Coleman, drums)
At the opening concert of April Jazz Festival performed the famous alto saxophonist David Sanborn, who has since the sixties played in many different casts and music genres. David Sanborn performed various pieces from his career time, among others gospel type Brother Ray dedicated to Ray Charles, and various rock and funk colored pieces, many of which were composed by Marcus Miller. Also he played a ballad dedicated to his wife Sofia. David Sanborn and his band had a good performance for the listening audience.

Manuel Dunkel Quartet feat. Anders Bergcrantz                                                        
(Anders Bergcrantz, trumpet; Manuel Dunkel, saxophone; Alexi Tuomarila, piano: Antti Lötjönen, bass; Teppo Mäkynen, drums)
Saxophonist Manuel Dunkel has been among the most prominent musicians in Finnish jazz scene since the mid-1990s. In 2011, Dunkel received the Yrjö prize, which is the most highly-regarded jazz accolade in Finland. The quartet led by Dunkel also includes pianist Alexi Tuomarila, bassist Antti Lötjönen and drummer Teppo Mäkynen. The concert featured music from the band’s third album “Meeting Point”, which was released in April. One of the most distinguished jazz musicians in Sweden, Anders Bergcrantz, who also played on the album, made a guest appearance at the concert. Dunkel has developed beautiful sounds on both tenor and soprano which are captured perfectly on this album.
 
Diane Schuur
(Diane Schuur, vocals, piano; Benjamin Wolfe, bass; Adam Pache, drums; Julan Siegel, saxophone)
Diane Schuur, considered one of the best female vocalists of modern jazz, returned to April Jazz for the first time in 25 years. The two-time Grammy winner’s new album “I Remember you” ( released in June 2014) was to honour to two of her heroes – Stan Getz and Frank Sinatra.

Espoo Big Band
Espoo Big Band (EBB) is one of the best jazz big bands in Finland. At their 35th anniversary concert, the EBB ensemble were taken to new heights by the English trumpeter Gerard Presencer, whose previous employers included Ray Charles, James Brown and Incognito. The concert featured premiere performances of new pieces by Jukka Linkola and Marzi Nyman, along with Mikko Innanen’s piece dedicated to Juhani ”Junnu” Aaltonen, with the nearly 80-year-old maestro himself as the soloist.
EBB has been ambitious in their efforts to promote Finnish jazz music, and they are especially known for their productions of new Finnish music. The band has raised many Finnish top musicians, such as Iiro Rantala, Lenni-Kalle Taipale, Jukka Eskola, Jarmo Saari and Marzi Nyman, who currently leads the orchestra.

Esa Paavolainen

For more information on April Jazz Festival see https://apriljazz.fi