Turku Jazz Festival: Jazz brightens up winter in Turku

By Molly McPharlin

The city of Turku is a centre for jazz in Finland. A lively, atmospheric backdrop to festivals such as Turku Sea Jazz and Turku Jazz Festival, Turku has been synonymous with jazz since 1969. Attracting international jazz superstars, the city’s music scene remains intimate and friendly. Now gearing up for the next Turku Jazz Festival 3-9 March, Finland Festivals, the organisation overseeing cultural and artistic festivals in the country, chose Turku Jazz as the festival of the year.

Turku Jazz Festival is the second oldest jazz festival in Finland and will turn 56 this year. Finland’s active jazz scene is a trendsetter globally and its jazz education and musicians are valued worldwide, with young talents regularly emerging. The festival’s programme is diverse and along with the festival team, artistic director Jussi Fredriksson makes it a priority to showcase both local and international stars.

Turku Jazz Festival: Jazz brightens up winter in Turku

Billy Cobham performing in 2019. Photo: Lennart Holmberg

Sanna Vartiainen, producer of the festival, explains the process when choosing its lineup. “At the earliest, we book artists a couple of years before the festival. At the latest, performers are confirmed six months before,” she says. “International musicians are chosen based on artistic interest. We also want to promote Finnish musicians on an international stage. This year, for example, Manuel Dunkel Quartet from Vantaa, Finland, will be joined on stage by top American guitarist Peter Bernstein.”

Turku Jazz Festival also makes a point to highlight local talent from the Turku area, from long-time veterans to emerging stars. “The headliners of the weekend concerts are always all-stars,” says Vartiainen. “In recent years, we’ve had true jazz legends such as Billy Cobham, Kenny Barron, Dave Holland, and Kenny Garrett, among others.”

Album release concerts are also part of the festival. “This year the band Muscular, the Ilkka Arola Sound Tagine ensemble, Joona Toivanen Trio, and the children’s music group Megasakki will be releasing albums and are set to play,” says Vartiainen. Turku’s own big band Turku Jazz Orchestra will also be performing and this year features saxophonist Adele Sauros and rapper Paleface as soloists.

Peter Bernstein will perform in 2025. Photo: Jimmy Katz

Celebrating special performers

Since its 40th anniversary in 2009, Turku Jazz Festival has chosen an artist of the year to highlight. This can be a young talent who has distinguished themself in the field of jazz music or someone who has made a valuable contribution to the genre. Emphasis is placed on the southwest region of the country in particular, where Turku is located.

Singer and composer Josefiina Vannesluoma, from Turku, was chosen as Artist of the Year 2025. Known for her many jazz ensembles and with her own band Mortal Lease, Vannesluoma has blossomed into a recognised musician. “She is original and open-minded, and deserves worldwide attention,” means Vartiainen. “We will do our part to help her get it.”

Jazz & Wine Tasting. Photo: Ilkka Arola

Connecting with the local cultural scene

Turku Jazz Festival collaborates with local restaurants and cultural sites. The festival has no one fixed venue and events are spread out throughout the city centre. During the festival week, activities such as Jazz&Wine Tasting and Jazz Brunch are held in local restaurants and cafés.

This year, festival concerts will be held in Turku Art House, which will enable visitors to explore the art scene of Turku while also taking in the music. Collaborative events with Turku Conservatory and Turku Children’s Cultural Centre are also planned.

The festival also works closely with the environmental organisation Keep the Archipelago Tidy. When purchasing tickets, the audience has the opportunity to make a donation to the Archipelago Sea Fund.

The performers Muscular. Photo: Pyry Kivi

Bringing some light into the darkness

Most of the concerts are organised for people of all ages. “We feel it’s important that young music enthusiasts hear top performers and get excited about jazz,” says Vartiainen. Only late-night jams and the Saturday afternoon wine tasting concert are aimed at adults. On Sunday, children have their own free concert at the Children’s Cultural Centre.

There will be free events throughout the festival. Paid concerts on Wednesday and Thursday cost less than EUR 30 per ticket, and the main concerts on Friday and Saturday less than EUR 50 per ticket. The wine tasting concert is EUR 69 including wine and you can enjoy a jazz brunch for EUR 39.

Turku Jazz Festival is organised in winter specifically. The idea that Turku offers cultural events all year round is a goal for both festival makers and city officials. It also brings some fun to the darker months. “There is a huge amount of things happening on summer weekends in Finland when the weather is sunny,” says Vartainen. “We want to bring joy and light to the city just in time for spring.”