Helsinki Jazz Association’s jaZZanti Concert Series – Spring 2026

The jaZZanti concert series offers an inspiring selection of high-quality jazz and improvised music in thirteen concerts during the spring of 2026.

The concerts take place mainly in the cozy Villa Hakasalmi, Mannerheimintie 13B. We continue our collaboration with the Hietsu is Happening! series and will present a joint concert on March 16.
The year 2026 marks one hundred years since jazz symbolically arrived in Finland with the ship Andania. This makes it a historical centenary for Finnish jazz – Jazz Finland 100 jubilee year. Helsinki Jazz is also part of the celebration: one anniversary concert will take place in spring, with more to follow in autumn. The Jazz Finland 100 campaign is coordinated by the Finnish Jazz Federation.
Tickets for Hakasalmi Villa concerts:
Standard ticket €22; pensioners, the unemployed, and members of Helsinki Jazz Association €17; students €14; “friends ticket” for two €34. Advance tickets are available through the Helsinki Jazz website, priced the same as tickets at the door.

More detailed information about the ensembles will be gradually added.

07.01.26 Pauli Lyytinen Rabbit Hole –Album Release Concert
Pauli Lyytinen: saxophone, EWI, drum machine, live electronics; Andreas Løwe (NO): piano, synthesizer, live electronics and Tatu Rönkkö: drums and percussion (substituting Julian Sartorius, who plays on the album).

09.02.26 Jimi Ahlroos Quartet
Jimi Ahlroos: saxophones; Rafa Postel: trumpet; Tuomo Purhonen: double bass and Mooses Kuloniemi: drums.

23.2.02.26 Eero Ojanen, Heikki Nikula & Antti Lötjönen – Jazz Suomi 100
Eero Ojanen: piano; Heikki Nikula: bass clarinet and Antti Lötjönen: double bass.

09.03.26 Mikko Pettinen Why Not
Joakim Berghäll: baritone saxophone, bass clarinet, cello; Mikko Pettinen: trumpet, flugelhorn, cornet, vocals, effects, keyboards; Vesa Ojaniemi: double bass, electronics and Tuomas Timonen: drums, electronics.

16.03.26 Saga and Jarmo Saari Solu & Antti Lötjönen
SAGA – Tapani Rinne: bass clarinet; Uffe Krokfors: double bass and Markku Ounaskari: drums. Jarmo Saari Solu & Antti Lötjönen – Jarmo Saari; guitars and Antti Lötjönen: double bass. The concert is presented in collaboration with the Hietsu is Happening! concert series at the Hietsu Pavilion.

13.04.26 Jussi Reijonen: sayr: salt | thirst
Jussi Reijonen: acoustic guitar.

04.05.26 Eero Savela Quartet
Eero Savela: trumpet; Seppo Kantonen: Wurlizer electric piano; Joonas Leppänen: drums and Eero Tikkanen: double bass.

11.0526 Baumann – Pietilä – Soo
Franziska Baumann (CH): voice and live electronics; Esa Pietilä: tenor saxophone and live electronics and Mart Soo (EE): electric guitar and live electronics.

18.05.26 Juho Valjakka Trio – Album Release Concert
Juho Valjakka: piano; Oskari Siirtola: double bass and Anssi Tirkkonen: drums.

01.06.26 Joonas Haavisto trio
Joonas Haavisto: piano; Antti Lötjönen: double bass and Joonas Riippa: drums.

08.06.26 Mikael Saastamoinen soolo
Mikael Saastamoinen: double bass.

15.06.26 Josefiina Vannesluoma soolo
Josefiina Vannesluoma: flute and voice.

20.07.26 Impérial Quartet (FR) “Dunav Magica”
Damien Sabatier: alto and sopranino saxophones; Gérald Chevillon: tenor saxophone; Joachim Florent: double bass and Antonin Leymarie: drums.

Please note that program changes are possible.

The concerts are supported by City of Helsinki, Svenska Kulturfonden and The Finnish Music Foundation.

Photo: Josefiina Vannesluoma by Sakari Puhakka