Closing Concert: Heikki Sarmanto & Jyväskylä Workshop Band

Jyväskylän Kesä concludes with a one-time gala concert that brings together a star-studded lineup of Finnish jazz musicians on stage. Pianist Heikki Sarmanto With a lineup of seven, the ensemble reflects the festival's rich jazz history – while also looking ahead.

The concert combines old and new: familiar material is interpreted in a fresh way, including Finnish-language vocal lyrics. The evening will culminate in Sarmanto's new premiere dedicated to Jyväskylän Kesä. The first half is instrumental; the singers join in after the break.

"Kokoonpano" refers to the 1970 Jyväskylä Workshop Band, which featured Aaltonen, Laine, and Sarmanto. The connection to Jyväskylä is deep: Sarmanto's debut album Flowers in the Water (1969) was recorded at the University of Jyväskylä at the time. Drummer Reiska Laine turns 80 during the concert week.

Assembly

• Heikki Sarmanto, piano – a big name in Finnish jazz; debut album Flowers in the Water (1969) Recorded at the University of Jyväskylä, awarded in Montreux 1971.
• Juki Välipakka, vocals - Multiple Finnish Male Jazz Singer of the Year, master of scat and vocal improvisation.
• Juhani Aaltonen, flute – one of our country's most significant wind instrumentalists, State Prize for Music; a living jazz legend.
• Reino ”Reiska” Laine, drums – the only Finn to have played at Pori Jazz every year since 1966; turns 80 during the concert week.
• Jukka Eskola, trumpet – over 200 recordings, awarded the Yrjö and Pori Jazz prizes.
• Eero Koivistoinen, saxophone – legendary saxophonist, recipient of the first-ever Yrjö Award.
• Ulf ”Uffe” Krokfors, bass –Influential bassist in modern Finnish jazz (e.g., Edward Vesala), awarded with the Yrjö prize in 2015.

Free jazz conversation on the same day

Concert day 7.7. 11 AM at Kulttuuritalo Villa Rana Join us for a free jazz discussion with Heikki Sarmanto and his musician friends. Topics include jazz, music, and the history of Jyväskylän Kesä. The discussion will be led by the producer of Jazz Jkl, a guitarist and composer Tuomas Paukku. Free admission, no ticket required.

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Start your festival day with breakfast, stop for lunch between concerts, or treat yourself to cake and bubbly at @semma.bakery!

Café Belvedere and the restaurants Ilokivi and Piato will serve Jyväskylä Festival participants at Seminaarinmäki and Mattilanniemi during the events held there. Belvedere offers a wide variety of café items and serves alcohol. Ilokivi and Piato are open on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., serving both breakfast and lunch.

Addresses:

• Café Belvedere (main building, Seminaarinkatu 15)
• Ilokivi Restaurant (Student Union Building Ilokivi, Keskussairaalantie 2)
• Restaurant Piato (Mattilanniemi 2, Agora)

You can find more information about opening hours and services on Semma's website www.semma.fi or on their social media channels @semmarestaurants.

See you at Jyväskylä Festival!