Tapiola Garden showtime 6 PM
Exhibition Centre WeeGee showtime 6:30 PM

UPCOMING

CANCELLED: Fri 24 Oct | Nana Rashid (DK/OM) | Tapiola Garden | TICKETS

Fri 7 Nov | Arto Ikävalko Trio | Exhibition Centre WeeGee

Fri 14 Nov | Kjetil Mulelid Trio (NO) | Tapiola Garden | TICKETS

Sat 29 Nov | Xmas Special: Sami Saari & Jazzpojat | Tapiola Garden | TICKETS

Fri 5 Dec | Joona Toivanen Trio | Exhibition Centre WeeGee

Sat 13 Dec | Xmas Special: Susanna Aleksandra Quintet | Tapiola Garden | TICKETS

24.10.2025 – 6 PM
Tapiola Garden
Tickets 20/15 €

THE CONCERT IS CANCELLED DUE TO A SICKNESS

Lippu.fi will be in contact with all customers concerning ticket refunds (you can also apply for them here).

Nana Rashid is one of the brightest rising stars on the Scandinavian jazz scene. The Danish-Zanzibari-Omani vocalist was awarded Best New Jazz Artist of the Year at the Danish Music Awards 2023 for her stunning debut album Music for Betty—a release also nominated for Best Vocal Jazz Album of the Year.

With a voice that channels the raw emotional power of Nina Simone and the elegance of Scandinavian jazz, Nana Rashid offers a strikingly original take on modern vocal jazz. Music for Betty is a deeply personal and emotionally resonant album that blends Nordic melancholy with shades of neo-soul, blues, and poetic storytelling. The title references her original song “Poor Blue Betty” — an ode to the parts of ourselves we often hide, but which ultimately make us whole.

The debut received wide critical acclaim:

“A superb debut album.” – Jazz Journal

“One of the absolute best Danish vocal jazz debut albums in several years.”
★★★★★ Gaffa DK

“A smouldering intensity… sets the tone for the entire album.”
★★★★★ Jazzwise (Editor’s Choice)

This concert is part of Better Live, a project co-financed by the European Union's Creative Europe program.

Nana Rashid – vocals
Benjamin Nørholm Jacobsen – piano
Martin Brunbjerg Rasmussen – double bass
Lasse Jacobsen – drums

7.11.2025 – 6:30 PM
Exhibition Center WeeGee
FREE ADMISSION

Arto Ikävalko Trio brings an intensive and experiential jazz night to April Jazz Club, where the traditions of modern acoustic piano trio jazz meet a fresh, original composition language. The concert will feature atmospheric and surprising compositions by Arto Ikävalko from the trio’s debut album "Changing Priors" (2024), newer unpublished pieces, and selected jazz standards enriched by the band’s unique style!

Arto Ikävalko’s compositions create atmospheric images of different worlds. Music enables creation in the moment and a musical dialogue between the musicians and the audience. The unprejudiced compositions of the powerfully atmospheric pieces do not stand in the way of intuitive and dynamic band play, but inspire the musicians to bring their personal contribution to the music spontaneously and in a joyfully playful manner. It is easy to tell from the trio’s tone that they have worked together in the most versatile situations.

Arto Ikävalko Trio’s music blends effortlessly into the continuum of modern acoustic piano jazz formed in the 21st century, inspired by an understanding of a strong jazz tradition. International artists such as Aaron Parks, Brad Mehldau, Shai Maestro, Tigran Hamasyan and Gerald Clayton have been an inspiration.

Arto Ikävalko – piano
Joonas Tuuri – bass
Ville Luukkonen – drums

14.11.2025 – 6 PM
Tapiola Garden
Tickets 20 / 15€

Kjetil Mulelid has distinguished himself as an inventive artist, blending jazz, psalms, and improvised music in both his own playing and compositions. After graduating from the famous "Jazzlinja" in Trondheim back in 2014, he has been heavily touring the world's nooks and crannies with his own music and projects. He has played concerts in large parts of Europe and Japan, and released several well-received albums as a solo artists, as well as with his own Kjetil Mulelid Trio, the jazz quartet Wako, with singer Emilie Storaas as the duo Kjemilie, and with singer Siril Malmedal Hauge - both as a band and as a piano / vocal duo.

Mulelid focus on a type of music where his compositions are formed intuitively through his improvisational and spontaneous way of playing. With a desire to tell a story in every musical stanza, he treats each song like a blank canvas and paints with his melodies and a natural rhythmic flow in the playful music. His music has been very favorably featured in magazines such as The Wire, International Piano Magazine, Jazzwise, Orkesterjournalen (jazz), Jazznytt and The NYC Jazz Record. His first trio record was mentioned by Jez Nelson as "Best of the year" on British radio Jazz FM.

Kjetil A Mulelid – piano
Rune Nergaard – double bass
Andreas Winther – drums

29.11.2025 – 6 PM
Tapiola Garden
Tickets 25 / 20€

Sami Saari & Jazzpojat bring you ear-pleasing, danceable jazz and soul grooves from places local and abroad. Known as both a small-scale cultivator and an avid consumer of Finnish soul music, Saari has always been a jazzman at heart. Therefore he has assembled a band where the Jazz Boys’ strong soloistic expression and impeccable groove join forces with a charismatic lead vocalist. Saari’s inventive and heartfelt Finnish lyrics offer something relatable for everyone!

The group’s third and latest album, “Nyt tai koskaan” (“Now or Never”) was released in May 2025.

Sami Saari – guitar & vocals
Sami Leponiemi – saxophone
Tomi Nikku – trumpet
Riitta Paakki – piano
Oskari Siirtola – double bass
Ville Pynssi – drums

5.12.2025 – 6:30 PM
Exhibition Center WeeGee
FREE ADMISSION

In January 2025, Joona Toivanen Trio will publish their new album “Gravity”. The trio's previous album "Both only" was a great success – the record received a lot of international attention, was a Jazz-Emma candidate, and the edition was sold out. Co-operation with We Jazz Records continues, and the trio is now aiming further.

With its new music, the trio brings the listener to their fascinating world created through improvisation, polished co-play and organic sound design. The music can be described as cinematic, ambient and surrealistic.

Joona Toivanen – piano
Tapani Toivanen – bass
Olavi Louhivuori – drums
Joonas Saikkonen – sound design

13.12.2025 – 6 PM
Tapiola Garden
Tickets 25 / 20 €

Get into Christmas spirit through the sounds of jazz!

The evening’s soloist is Estonian singer Susanna Aleksandra, a Sibelius Academy graduate who lived in Finland for seven years. Her voice moves effortlessly between sensitivity and strength, and her interpretations blend storytelling, presence, and a warm connection with the audience.

Susanna has performed widely across Europe and received international recognition for her album “The Siren”, which was chosen by Jazzwise magazine as one of the best albums of the year and was nominated for Jazz Album of the Year at the Estonian Music Awards.

The evening’s program features jazz arrangements of beloved Christmas songs – groove, soulfulness, and the magic of the season!

Susanna Aleksandra – vocals
Mikko “Gunu” Karjalainen – trumpet
Arto Ikävalko – piano
Joonas Tuuri – bass
Ville Luukkonen – drums