Luotsi Celebrates the Jazz in Finland 100 Anniversary with Finnish Jazz Originals

Luotsi opens its tour and jam evenings in honor of the Jazz in Finland 100 celebrations with a compelling selection of Finnish jazz originals, alongside original compositions by the band members. Audiences can expect both familiar tunes and rarely heard gems, interpreted through a contemporary lens – looking not only to history but firmly toward the future. After the opening set, the stage will be open to guest musicians, as the musical compass turns toward the heritage of American jazz.

Luotsi brings together seasoned figures in jazz and rising stars of the future. Alto saxophonist and flutist Oona Mattsson has performed with numerous renowned Finnish jazz musicians in both big bands and smaller ensembles. Her playing can be heard on albums released in spring 2025 by Kanvas and Siina Suutarinen. Pianist Riitta Paakki is an acclaimed jazz musician, composer and bandleader who received the Yrjö Award from the Finnish Jazz Federation in 2019. She has released seven albums with her own ensembles. Double bassist Lauri Ikävalko, originally from Savonlinna and now based in Helsinki, builds his playing on improvisation and interaction. He is particularly inspired by combining rhythmic elements of world music with jazz. Drummer Markus Ketola is a long-time member and section leader of UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra. His diverse merits as a composer and instrumentalist have been recognized with the Yrjö Award (2012) and the Jazz Emma Award (1998).

The tour is part of the Jamiluokka project, a collaboration between the Finnish Jazz Federation, Metropolia University of Applied Sciences Music, University of Art Helsinki's Sibelius Academy Jazz Music Degree Programme and UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra. The project is made possible by funding from the Niilo Helander Foundation. Its aim is to develop students’ professional and performance skills and to help them build networks essential for their careers. Based on multidisciplinary collaboration, the project supports the career development of future top professionals while also enhancing regional accessibility to jazz. Following Luotsi’s tour, the Jamiluokka project will continue until the end of 2027 with support from the Alfred Kordelin Foundation, enabling five nationwide tours.

Luotsi

Oona Mattsson – alto saxophone, flute
Riitta Paakki – piano
Lauri Ikävalko – double bass
Markus Ketola – drums

Concert Dates and Venues

Thu 5.3. at 19.00 Savonlinna, Kulttuurikellari / Olavin Jazz
Fri 6.3. at 23.00 Turku, Bar Ö / Turku Jazz Festival
Sat 7.3. at 23.00 Turku, Bar Ö / Turku Jazz Festival
Thu 12.3. at 18.00 Seinäjoki, Kalevan Navetta / Jazzsoikoon!*
Fri 13.3. at 18.00 Espoo, Sokos Hotel Tapiola Garden / April Jazz Club (opening set at 18.00)

*In collaboration with the Seinäjoki unit of the University of the Arts Helsinki.

The tour is part of the Jazz in Finland 100 anniversary year to be celebrated in 2026, highlighting Finnish jazz as well as jazz’s societal significance and broad influence on Finnish popular culture over the past century. The Jazz in Finland 100 campaign is coordinated by the Finnish Jazz Federation. Read more about the anniversary year here.

Jazz – heard and seen!

Finnish Jazz Federation’s essential form of operation is national touring. The annual touring activities enable approximately 100 concerts in 40 different locations all over Finland. The concerts mainly take place in their member organizations. Tours include both in-house productions and collaborations with external producers.