Jaska Lukkarinen & Turku Jazz Orchestra: Rainbow Blue

Drummer Jaska Lukkarinen explores the possibilities of jazz drums as accompaniment in a big band context at this September concert. The evening focuses on soloist accompaniment: the drums form not just a rhythmic foundation, but an active part of the orchestra's sound and dialogue. Lukkarinen seeks ways to combine the surprises and dynamic extremes of small ensemble playing with big band accompaniment - the drums engage in continuous conversation with other instrument groups, sometimes subtly accompanying, sometimes strongly commenting.

The concert's music is composed by conductor Mikko Hassinen in close collaboration with Lukkarinen. The compositional work originated from a project connected to Lukkarinen's doctoral thesis, which aimed to bring a new perspective to the role of drums in big band. "Jaska's ideas about the role of drums in big band were inspiring and challenging, and based on them, composing opened new perspectives for me on jazz rhythm and sound," Hassinen explains.

Turku Jazz Orchestra's concert promises swinging and colourful big band jazz - not an academic study!

Turku Jazz Orchestra
Jaska Lukkarinen - drums
Mikko Hassinen - compositions, orchestra direction

Accessibility: The event is wheelchair accessible, and an assistant receives free entry with the person being assisted on the same ticket. The venue has an accessible toilet.