Finland’s Tampere Jazz Happening fires up with left-field stars

Nationality may be a contentious issue for many but in music it often melts into a silence that some politicians may do well to observe more closely. On the opening night of the 41st edition of this fine festival there is a spotlight on Norway, and lo and behold the star turn is a bass clarinetist-flautist from Finland, Ville Lahteenmaki. His raucous, ruggedly braying style makes him a notable addition to the Dolphy-Murray-Mahall lineage that produces maximum excitement with every outpouring of notes. His accompanists, drummer Nicolas Leirtre and bassist Trym Saugstad Karlsen, are like himself, students at the renowned Trondheim Conservatory, an institution whose impact on European jazz has been significant in modern times. As if to prove the point another of its international students, Danish saxophonist Signe Emmeluth also impresses with avant-garde leaning music well anchored by drummer Thomas Strønen, an older player who largely helped to pave the way for these young Turks.

Quite unintentionally, a similar combination of elements leads to remarkably different results as another Danish saxophonist Mette Rasmussen, also a Trondheimer, leads a fabulous trio comprising feted, no nonsense Norwegian bassist Ingebrigt Haker Flaten and drummer Chris Corsano who all gel potently on music that scurries into abstraction or settles into staggering but enticing grooves, as is the case on the highlight of the set, ‘Repeated Statement’, a strong message on societal failings.

Groups that cross generations as well as geographical boundaries are a recurrent theme this year, from the joyous Helsinki-Cotonou ensemble, an Afropean group if ever there was one, to Ramon Valle’s quintet, in which the effervescent Cuban pianist is joined by Dutch saxophonist Tineke Postma. Also enjoyable is Hamid Drake’s Turiya, a majestic tribute to Alice Coltrane that features British trumpeter Sheila Maurice-Grey, Italian vibraphonist Pasquale Mirra and Guadeloupean-Gabonese dancer-narrator Ndoho Ange. Healing universal music by a fine global line-up.

As has been the case for years the programme places international artists in two large venues Pakkahuone and Klubi and Fins in the smaller Telakka restaurant but that is not to say that the ‘host nation’ has a lesser status. Tellingly, two outstanding Finnish pianists, Aki Rissanen and Seppo Kantonen, lead cosmopolitan groups on the big stage that capture the imagination for the beauty of the writing as well as playing, the latter making a substantial impact with a sound palette in which horns and rhythm section are cunningly embellished by accordion. All-Finnish groups also take major plaudits. Plop & Junnu sees two multi-reedists at different stages of their careers - 44 year-old Mikko Innanen and octogenarian legend Juhani Aaltonen - excel in an agile quartet that plays with both buzzing energy and humourous warmth, while            pianist Joona Toivonen’s trio travels gracefully from the world of acoustic improvised music into a highly cinematic electro-ambient realm that makes a virtue of the touch-sensitive precision of the leader, his double bassist brother Tapani and drummer Olavi Louhivori, all of whom create a graceful, hushed finesse that evokes the darkest of night skies. In complete contrast is masterful Japanese pianist Satoko Fuji (pictured above - photo by Maarit Kytöharju)​, whose trio moves from violently erupting volcano to floating leaves on a slow wind in front of a reverent audience. Fuji, bassist Takashi Sugawa and drummer Ittetsu Takemura are telepathic partners, and the blend of individuality and unity in the ensemble is exceptional. It is the highlight of this award-winning festival that has long championed Finnish and international jazz, as well as their fascinating intersection.