Jazz-Espa showcases contemporary Finnish jazz and celebrates the Jazz in Finland 100 Anniversary
The annual Jazz-Espa festival will take place in Helsinki's Esplanade Park from July 27 to August 1, 2026. Throughout the week, the free concert series will feature a diverse lineup of top-tier Finnish jazz ensembles, including Mikko Pettinen Why Not, Pepa Päivinen Peacepipe, Olli Soikkeli Django Trio and Elifantree. Exciting rising talents such as New3, J TIKKA and the Veikka Kajamies Trio will also take the stage. The Jazz in Finland 100 Anniversary Year will be highlighted through various supplementary events, including a jazz-themed walking tour, film screenings and a jam session.
Organized by the Finnish Jazz Federation for the 27th time, Jazz-Espa showcases the most relevant names in contemporary jazz. Concerts begin on weekdays at 13:30, 16:00 and 17:15. On Saturday, August 1, there will be two concerts at 14:00 and 15:15.
Jazz-Espa opens on Monday, July 27 at 16:00 with a Jazz in Finland 100 panel discussion, exploring how activism and themes of peace are reflected in the art and professional identities of today's jazz musicians. Opening night music will be provided by a group led by guitarist Lauri Kallio (known from Pambikallio). Tuesday’s lineup includes drummer Chico Matada and saxophonist J TIKKA with their respective ensembles, as well as the Eero Savela Quartet. On Wednesday, the stage welcomes the Arto Ikävalko Trio, Mikko Pettinen Why Not and Pepa Päivinen Peacepipe. Thursday's musical offerings begin with Veikka Kajamies, recipient of the Jazz Federation's Taimi Award last year, and his trio. The evening continues with Heli Hartikainen, who blends saxophone improvisation with live electronics, followed by guitar virtuoso Olli Soikkeli’s Django Trio. Friday features singer-pianist Siina Suutarinen’s new group Super Sonic, the brand-new trio New3 and Elifantree, who recently released their seventh album. Children’s Saturday will feature the rhythmic duo Beatbox & Cupola by Felix Zenger and Lauri Wuolio and the energetic ZikiZiki-Trio, whose songs combine learning with the joy of music.
The Jazz in Finland 100 Anniversary Year will also be celebrated beyond the park. On Wednesday, July 29, cultural history researcher Janne Mäkelä will lead a walking tour diving into the century-long history of Finnish jazz in Helsinki: who were the creators, who kept the swing alive, and what evidence of this history remains? Pre- and post-festival events include jazz-themed screenings at cinema Kino Regina on Sundays July 26 and August 2. On Friday, July 31, the festivities move from Jazz-Espa to the Musiikkitalo Terrace, where the evening continues with a performance by the Oiva Haapamäki Quartet followed by open jam sessions.
All Jazz-Espa concerts are free, for all ages and accessible. The concerts are weather dependent. Due to limited capacity of the walking tour, pre-registration will open on May 13 at 14:00 at jazzespa.fi.
Jazz-Espa is produced by the Finnish Jazz Federation with support from the City of Helsinki. Partners include the Savoy Theatre, Pop & Jazz Conservatory, Concert Centre Finland, Restaurant Kappeli, Musiikkitalo and Kino Regina.
The Jazz-Espa programme is listed here.
Photo: Jori Huhtala