Savoy & Helsinki Jazz ry: 80th anniversary concert of Eero Koivistoinen and Reiska Laine

Anniversary concert of two Finnish jazz legends at the Savoy Theatre

Saxophonist Eero Koivistoinen and Drummer Reino ‘Reiska’ Laine, who are celebrating their 80th birthdays, are among the pioneers of Finnish jazz. These actively touring musicians will celebrate their long and varied careers by giving a concert at the Savoy Theatre on 28 October.

The first half of the concert will feature Reiska Laine’s sextet, with Koivistoinen and Laine joined on stage by Jari Perkiömäki (saxophone), Mikko ‘Gunu’ Karjalainen (trumpet), Olli Ahvenlahti (piano) and Filemon von Numers (double bass). The programme includes some of Koivistoinen’s own works as well as compositions by jazz greats such as Miles Davis and John Coltrane – in honour of their 100th anniversary.

After the intermission, the SibA Folk Big Band of Sibelius Academy will take to the stage, conducted by Bianca Rantala. Together with Eero Koivistoinen, the orchestra will interpret some of Koivistoinen’s compositions from different decades and his arrangement of John Coltrane’s classic, Equinox.

Listen to Eero Koivistoinen playing on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ZVsWZBGyzCw?si=aKdzxuTx5drQdWSf

Listen to Reiska Laine playing on YouTube: https://youtu.be/3bzQHqgzFjY?si=M3TH3_jA3Jz5j7Pw

Come and celebrate Finnish jazz!

Duration: roughly 2 h 30 min, including intermission.

The floor: R18 alcohol serving area. The gallery: no age restrictions, no alcohol serving.