Tampere Jazz Happening – The festival of the year

The 31st Happening will present a total of 26 acts, of which 18 are international. The programme sets the stage for a balance of old school veterans and upcoming talents of the future.

Looking the program with Finnish eyes one will find the young and energetic Mopo, the winner of Young Nordic Jazz Comets 2011, the jazzahead! 2012 performer Slo Motive, Jorma Tapio’s new trio Kaski and the “hard-hitting” Black Motor with special guest Mikko Innanen.

On the international side the program includes a master of his instrument, pianist Vijay Iyer and trumpeter Ibrahim Maalouf. Improviser John Scofield will be seen in Tampere for the first time in a decade. The Jazz Passengers will also return to the city after a 20 year absence to promote their new album Reunited.

Tampere Jazz Happening is Festival of the Year 2012. The title was granted by Finland Festivals, a collaboration forum for Finnish cultural events. The choice was argued with Happening’s role in enriching the Finnish jazz scene.

 “Happening provides a voice for new and surprising jazz, and it has a strong profile. The audience will show up even if they don’t know the musicians on stage. The festival has created a  recognizable profile on which their audience can rely – something which all festivals dream of”, says Kai Amberla, the executive director of Finland Festivals.