Afrojazz Quintet feat. Meissa Niang

Afrojazz Quintet is a Helsinki-based ensemble drawing inspiration from jazz, afrofunk, afrobeat, and psychedelic rock. Founded in 2015 by artist-musician Alvar Gullichsen, the band has released albums Bongo Jazz (LP/CD 2019) and Welcome Our Future (DIGI-EP 2023) and is currently working on their next full-length. The repertoire combines original compositions with a selection of West African covers.

Guest soloist Meissa Niang moved to Finland in 1992 with the band Hasse Walli & Asamaan. In Senegal, he built a career including a stint with the orchestra Orchestra Baobab. In Finland, his voice has been heard in bands such as Piirpauke, Galaxy, and Sakari Kukko Afro Chamber, as well as in his own projects like Sawaadj Band. For this evening, he will interpret the band's West African afrofunk covers and perform his best-known hit Sawaaji, along with the song Jambaar from Aki Kaurismäki's film Le Havre, which he co-wrote with Hasse Walli.

Line-up: Meissa Niang (vocals), Antero Priha (trumpet, vocals), Julius Heikkilä (guitar), Akim Color (percussion, vocals), Daniel Iiskola (bass), Alvar Gullichsen (percussion, drums, guitar, vocals), Oscar Karlsson (drums).

Tickets at the door 23 €, if available. No separate entrance fee. Konepaja Biergarten is located at Bruno Granholmin kuja 1, Helsinki. An assistant receives free entry with the assisted person on the same ticket. The event is wheelchair accessible and has an accessible toilet. There is no wheelchair ramp. Discrimination, harassment, and violence are not tolerated at the event.