Linnajazz Festival Club: Heikki Sarmanto and Juhani Aaltonen

Suisto open 16:00-02:00
Ticket includes cloakroom service fee.
Tickets at the door 28 €, if available.

Juhani Aaltonen & Heikki Sarmanto

Finnish jazz legends Juhani Aaltonen (b. 1935) and Heikki Sarmanto (b. 1939) meet as a duo on the Suisto stage. The pair's long shared history and exceptionally natural interplay make their collaboration unique. They have been central figures in the development of Finnish jazz since the 1960s - together and on their own paths - and they share both early studies in Finland and further studies at Berklee College in Boston. Both also have extensive and respected recording careers.

Juhani "Junnu" Aaltonen is one of Finnish jazz's most significant wind players. Now focusing exclusively on the flute, Aaltonen is a remarkably present musician on stage: his light yet deep tone seems to float in the air almost of its own accord. Late last year, the Juhani Aaltonen Quartet's performance at Suisto demonstrated that the master's expression remains sharp and powerful.

Heikki Sarmanto is one of Finnish jazz's central pianists and composers, known for his style that blends elements of jazz, classical music, and folk music. Sarmanto gained international recognition in the 1970s, when he was awarded the Jazz League's Yrjö Prize and won both piano and ensemble categories at the Montreux Jazz Festivals. In addition to an extensive recording career, he has collaborated with artists including Sonny Rollins, Art Farmer, and Helen Merrill.

Aaltonen and Sarmanto have been instrumental in building the foundation of modern Finnish jazz - and most importantly, they remain active and curious musicians. Suisto provides this sensitive duo with excellent conditions. The audience will experience the music exactly as it unfolds.