Jazz-Espa 2025 showcases the most exciting jazz artists from Finland
The annual Jazz-Espa festival will take place in Helsinki's Esplanade Park from July 28 to August 2, 2025. The free concerts will feature fifteen of Finland's most exciting contemporary jazz ensembles, including Maja Mannila Trio, Iro Haarla Ouranos Ensemble, Aurora Hentunen Quintet, Roope Kantonen 3 and Kalima–Lötjönen–Ounaskari. The opening day's panel discussion takes a look ahead to next year's Jazz in Finland 100 anniversary celebrations. Jazz-Espa's Children's Saturday will entertain the whole family with performances by Jazzkamelit and Django Collective Helsinki.
Organized by the Finnish Jazz Federation for the 26th time, Jazz-Espa showcases the latest in contemporary jazz, featuring new ensembles by leading jazz musicians and emerging talents who have captivated audiences. Concerts begin on weekdays at 13:30, 16:00 and 17:15. On Saturday, August 2, there will be two concerts at 14:00 and 15:15.
Jazz-Espa opens on Monday, July 28 at 16:00 with a panel discussion on jazz as a force for social change. After the discussion, at 17:15, the internationally acclaimed Maja Mannila Trio will take the stage. On Tuesday, new sounds of jazz will be presented by Ilmari Rönkä & Mikko Antila Duo, Roope Kantonen 3 and Viba. Wednesday features Aleksis Liukko Trio, Helmi Antila Quartet, recipient of the Jazz Federations Taimi Award 2024, and pianist Toomas Keski-Säntti presenting his quartet as a bandleader for the first time. Thursday's lineup includes Estonian bassist Ara Yaralyan performing with Finnish musicians Kari Ikonen, Markku Ounaskari and Mia Simanainen. Josefiina Vannesluoma’s and Juho Valjakka's duo will be joined by Estonian bassist Mingo Rajandi and the Iro Haarla Ouranos Ensemble brings a fresh breeze to Finnish jazz. Friday, August 1, features the Indie Awards-winner Aurora Hentunen Quintet, the new duo of internationally acclaimed musicians Aki Rissanen and Mikko Innanen, and the debut performance of Kalima–Lötjönen–Ounaskari. The family-friendly concerts on Saturday August 2, will feature Jazzkamelit, who transform children's songs into jazz, and the energetically swinging trio of Django Collective Helsinki.
All Jazz-Espa concerts are free, for all ages, and accessible. The concerts are weather dependent.
Jazz-Espa is produced by the Finnish Jazz Federation with support from the City of Helsinki's Culture and Leisure Division. Partners include the Savoy Theatre, Pop & Jazz Conservatory, Jazz Music Program at the Sibelius Academy, Concert Centre Finland, Embassy of Estonia in Helsinki and Restaurant Kappeli.
To see the entire Jazz-Espa 2025 programme click here.
Photo: Jori Huhtala