Arto Ikävalko Trio | Mikko Pettinen Why Not | Pepa Päivinen Peacepipe – Jazz-Espa

Wednesday at Jazz-Espa offers intense contemporary jazz, featuring Arto Ikävalko Trio, Mikko Pettinen Why Not and Pepa Päivinen Peacepipe.

13:30 Arto Ikävalko Trio
16:00 Mikko Pettinen Why Not
17:15 Pepa Päivinen Peacepipe

**

Arto Ikävalko Trio brings an intense and experiential concert to Jazz-Espa, where the traditions of modern acoustic piano trio jazz meet a fresh and original compositional voice. The performance features Arto Ikävalko’s atmospheric and surprising compositions from the trio’s debut album Changing Priors (2024), newer unreleased material, and selected jazz standards reimagined with the ensemble’s unique touch. Through his compositions, Ikävalko creates atmospheric imagery of different worlds that take on a life of their own as the band members breathe life into them through their playing.

Arto Ikävalko – piano
Joonas Tuuri – bass
Ville Luukkonen – drums

**

Mikko Pettinen Why Not is a top-tier Finnish jazz ensemble whose expression is built on strong interaction, precise musicianship, and the nuanced language of modern jazz. The group’s founder and leader, trumpeter Mikko Pettinen, is known for his personal compositional style, which emphasizes clear forms, subtle dynamics, and a sense of space.

The ensemble performs repertoire from the album Patient Patient (Eclipse Music, 2025), a work rooted in Pettinen’s personal experiences. The record received a full five-star review from Kulttuuritoimitus and was nominated in the jazz category at the Indie Awards. Additionally, journalists from Yle selected the album as one of the ten best releases of 2025.

Mikko Pettinen – cornet, trumpet, Organelle M, vocals
Joakim Berghäll – baritone saxophone, bass clarinet, kalimba
Vesa Ojaniemi – bass
Tuomas Timonen – drums

**

Pepa Päivinen, a saxophonist and flutist known for boldly breaking boundaries, is one of the cornerstones of Finnish jazz. The music of his new Peacepipe ensemble is peacefully melodic and atmospheric, while also venturing into edgy, energetic prog, jazz, and free music. Finding its way deep into the consciousness, the group’s expression seeks to kick down musical fences and discover interesting new paths. This quartet, creating an impressive atmosphere through collective sensitivity, consists of veteran musicians with strong individual voices.

Pepa Päivinen – saxophone, flute
Timo Kämäräinen – guitar
Ville Herrala – double bass
Mikko Hassinen – drums

Jazz-Espa, organized by the Finnish Jazz Federation, presents the most current domestic jazz ensembles from July 27 to August 1, 2026, at the Espa Stage. The concerts are free of charge, accessible, and suitable for the whole family. Events are subject to weather conditions. Follow our updates at jazzespa.fi and on social media @suomenjazzliitto.