Description
The autumn jaZZanti concert series offers interesting and high‑quality jazz and improvised music in 14 concerts.
In 2026 it will be 100 years since jazz symbolically landed in Finland with the Andania‑Läivan on 4 June 1926. Helsinki Jazz's autumn programme reflects the Jazz Finland 100 celebration year by providing a versatile overview of Finnish high‑level jazz.
This year also marks 30 years since Charles Gil launched the Vapaat Äänet agency; the autumn season features two concerts by French artists.
The highlight of the autumn is a celebratory concert of two Finnish jazz legends at the Savoy Theatre on 29 Oct 2026. Performing are Reiska Laine's sextet and the Sibelius Academy Big Band led by Bianca Rantala with soloist Eero Koivistoinen.
jaZZanti concerts are mainly held in the cozy Hakasalmen Huvila, Mannerheimintie 13B.
Ticket prices for the Hakasalmi concerts are: regular ticket €22, seniors, unemployed and Helsinki Jazz members €17, students €14, friend ticket for two €34. Advance tickets can be purchased on Helsinki Jazz's website; the price is the same as at the door.
Band details will be added gradually to these pages.
08.08.26 Kalle Kalima – Antti Lötjönen duo
Kalle Kalima: guitar and Antti Lötjönen: double bass.
10.08.26 Roberto Negro (FR) – Pärt & Songs
Roberto Negro: piano. We will hear Arvo Pärt's early compositions from 1950, in collaboration with Vapaat Äänet agency.
17.08.26 Sanni Orasmaa solo
Sanni Orasmaa: voice and piano.
31.08.26 Selma Savolainen – Toomas Keski‑Säntti duo
Selma Savolainen: voice and Toomas Keski‑Säntti: piano.
29.10.26 Eero Koivistoinen and Reiska Laine 80‑year celebration concert
Two Finnish jazz legends in a celebration concert at the Savoy Theatre. In the first half, Reiska Laine's sextet performs: Reiska Laine – drums, Eero Koivistoinen – saxophones, Jari Perkiömäki – saxophones, Mikko “Gunu” Karjalainen – trumpet, Olli Ahvenlahti – piano, Filemon von Numers – double bass. In the second half, the Sibelius Academy Big Band, conducted by Bianca Rantala together with Eero Koivistoinen, interprets Koivistoinen's compositions from different decades and his arrangement of John Coltrane's classic "Equinox". In cooperation with the Savoy Theatre. Tickets €20–45 via the Savoy Theatre website.
02.11.26 Kadi Vija solo
Kadi Vija: voice and keyboards. Jazz‑Emma awarded recording "Tiny Hands Gathering Wonder, The World Becomes Magic" performed as a solo.
16.11.26 Harri Sjöström’s Mothers Delight – Special Guest: Veli Kujala
Harri Sjöström: soprano and sopranino saxophone, Libero Mureddu: keyboards and electronics, Jukka Kääriäinen: guitar and electronics, Heikki Nikula: bass clarinet and Veli Kujala: quarter‑tone harmonica.
18.11.26 Pauli Lyytinen – Markku Ounaskari duo
Pauli Lyytinen: saxophones and Markku Ounaskari: drums and percussion.
23.11.26 Lotus Flowers (FR‑DE)
Sakina Abdou (FR): tenor saxophone, Angelika Niescier (DE): alto saxophone and Bruno Angelini (FR): piano and compositions. In collaboration with Vapaat Äänet agency.
30.11.26 Juhani Aaltonen – Heikki Sarmanto duo & Juhani Aaltonen – Raoul Björkenheim duo
Juhani Aaltonen: flute, Heikki Sarmanto: piano and Raoul Björkenheim: guitar.
02.12.26 Jusu Berghäll: SOLO Coltrane album release concert
Joakim (Jusu) Berghäll: saxophones. Alice and John Coltrane compositions re‑interpreted.
07.12.12 Mikko Antila – Ilmari Rönkä duo: Magic Meadow album release concert
Ilmari Rönkä: saxophones and flute and Mikko Antila: vibraphone.
08.12.26 Children's concert
Mikko Antila: vibraphone and percussion, Josh Levine, double bass: voice and percussion & Sami Kontola: drums and percussion. Central Library Oodi, Maija Hall. Free admission.
14.12.12 Ljungkvist (SE) – Bäckström – Leppänen trio
Fredrik Ljungkvist (SE): clarinets, Jonathan Bäckström: double bass and Joonas Leppänen: drums.
Program changes are possible; updates will be posted on these pages.