SoundScapes #5 – Festival for Contemporary Improvised Music, day 1

On May 2–3, the SoundScapes #5 festival at Louhisali, Espoo Cultural Centre, brings together domestic and international virtuosos of modern improvised music. Exciting artist constellations, formed from this 13-member ensemble, will take the audience on a two-day journey through fascinating, spontaneously created soundscapes. Here, there are no predetermined rules – an open mind, quick reactions, and the courage to dive into the unknown are the festival’s driving forces. During the concerts, music is born in the moment, making each performance a unique experience.

The festival’s artistic ensemble features, among others, pioneering figures in improvisational music such as Giancarlo Schiaffini and Philipp Wachsmann. The artistic soul and creator of the SoundScapes festival concept is Finnish saxophonist Harri Sjöström, who will also perform at the event. Since the 1980s, Sjöström has been active in Berlin, playing a key role in promoting improvised music as well as fostering artistic networks and collaborations.

SoundScapes #5 is more than just a concert – it is a unique, interactive artistic experience where the audience is an integral part of the whole. The festival transcends boundaries, not only musically but also between cultures and forms of expression, creating a deep dialogue through improvisation and collective listening. Explore the published program and artist lineups!

Helsinki Jazz assists Espoo Cultural Centre with practical arrangements.

Doors open at 18:45 18:45
Concert duration approx. 2h 15 min

Artists:

Liz Allbee: trumpet
Cristiano Calcagnile: drums & percussion
Sergio Castrillón: cello
John Edwards: double bass
Lori Freedman: bass clarinet
Achim Kaufmann: piano
Veli Kujala: accordion
Jukka Kääriäinen: guitar & electronics
Libero Mureddu: piano
Giancarlo Schiaffini: trombone
Harri Sjöström: soprano and sopranino saxophone
Els Vandeweyer: vibraphone & percussion
Philipp Wachsmann: violin & electronics

Program – Friday, May 2, 2025

First part / 60 min/ 15 min per group

The Eternal Beginning (quintet)

Calcagnile – Edwards – Freedman – Kaufmann – Kääriäinen
Drums & percussion – double bass – bass clarinet – piano – guitar & electronics

Lumiuni (duo)
Allbee – Castrillón
trumpet – cello

We Meet Again (duo)
Mureddu – Wachsmann
Piano – violin & electronics

Just Eikä Melkeen (kvartetti)
Kujala – Schiaffini – Sjöström – Vandeweyer
Accordion – trombone – soprano & sopranino saxophone – vibraphone

Second part/ 60 min/ 15 min per group

Tähtitytöt (trio)
Allbee – Freedman – Vandeweyer
Trumpet – bass clarinet – vibraphone

Three Meters Dog (trio)
Castrillón – Kaufmann – Kujala
Cello – piano – accordion

Pikkupalat (duo)
Schiaffini – Wachsmann
Trombone – violin & electronics

Maustepojat (quintet)
Calcagnile – Edwards – Kääriäinen – Mureddu – Sjöström
Drums & percussion – double bass – guitar & electronics – piano – soprano & sopranino saxophone