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THINGS are getting jazzy once again in the city surrounded by lakes, as the 33rd annual Tampere Jazz Happening rolls into town. Held between Thursday 30 October and Sunday 2 November, once again a range of interesting musicians are on offer.
Top of the list on this year’s bill is guitarist Bill Frisell, the legendary jazz icon and one of the most respected jazz guitarists and composers in the world. Elsewhere, the father of dubpoetry, Linton Kwesi Johnson, will be making an appearance. Meanwhile, ICP Orchestra brings its ten-musician line-up in tow, along with special guest, pianist Uri Caine.
Cult British ensemble Partisans opens this year’s festival, with fellow countrymen Django Bates’ Belovèd and Sons of Kemet also on offer during the festival. Music from Norway is well represented, with Elephant9 & Reine Fiske among the many Norwegian acts featuring during the festival.
The festival’s musical palate continues to expand, and some excellent examples of world music get a look in this year. Indian Zakir Hussain creates mesmerising rhythms on his tabla drum and Mali’s Tamikrest kick out some desert blues as Finland descends into the darkness of the year’s cooler months.
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Tampere Jazz Happening |
Local talent sees trio Kallio Slaaki filling the stage with numerous percussion instruments. Meanwhile, Elektro GT incorporates electronica into their sound and Teddy’s West Coasters tip their hat to West Coast jazz from the ‘50s and ‘60s. On Friday evening at the festival, the Finnish Jazz Federation will also announce the Yrjö Award, the most prestigious recognition in Finnish jazz music.
James O’Sullivan
Image: Nick White
