CLASSIC JAZZ SOCIETY ALL STARS: The Best of Finnish Classic Jazz – Live at Savoy Theatre (2xCD)

(CJS 01)

The Classic Jazz Society of Finland was established in 2012 with the goal of preserving and promoting in Finland the styles of jazz music that were created in the first half of the 20 th century, including the cultural activities connected with them – with the motto ”Classic Jazz from Louis Armstrong to Charlie Parker”.
Producing this album is an example of these activities. The material on this double-CD is selected from the yearly concert programs recorded at the Savoy Theatre in Helsinki from 2017 to 2019, which were produced by the Classic Jazz Society.
The 2017 concert was a tribute to Finland’s 100 years of independence with jazz arrangements of the works by the most notable Finnish composers. At the same time the Finnish jazz legends of the past and present were honored with the concert title of the classic jazz composition “Kun syksy saapuu Helsinkiin”.
The theme of the 2018 concert was ”Lauantain Toivotut – Haikeasti Svengaten” paying tribute to two radio programs of the Finnish Broadcasting Corporation. “Lauantain Toivotut” is the oldest radio show featuring requests from the listening public and “Haikeasti Svengaten” was a jazz radio show hosted by the legendary jazz promoter Paavo Einiö. In this concert the musical pieces of various styles were given a jazz treatment.
The 2019 concert ”Toivejazzit” featured requests for favourite jazz themes from the society members and their friends. The themes were given new arrangements with some original ones included.
The 8-piece orchestras in these concerts featured the best Finnish jazz musicians and they represented five
decades of Finnish musicianship. So, the musical skills were exchanged and shared among three
generations of jazz artists.
The arrangers of the music presented in the concerts were Pentti Lasanen, Antti Sarpila, Wade Mikkola, Pekka Toivanen, Juha Lanu and Seppo Hovi.

4.10.2017
CD 1 – 01, 02, 06, 10, 11, 13, 20 CD 2 – 01, 05, 11, 16, 19
Jukka Eskola – tpt, fl.horn; Petri Juutilainen – trb; Pentti Lasanen – cl., alto & tenor sax; Antti Sarpila – cl., sopr. sax; Petri Krzywacki – gtr; Seppo Hovi – piano, accordion; Wade Mikkola – bass; Jari Kettunen – drms

22.9.2018
CD 1 – 03, 08, 12, 14, 15, 16 CD 2 – 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 14, 17
Pekka Toivanen – cl., alto sax, tenor sax; Antti Sarpila – cl., sopr. sax; Mikko Pettinen – tpt, fl.horn; Juha Kortehisto – trb; Juha Lanu – gtr; Seppo Hovi – piano, accordion; Wade Mikkola – bass; Thomas Rönnholm – drms

18.10.2019
CD 1 – 04, 05, 07, 09, 17, 18, 19 CD 2 – 02, 03, 04, 12, 13, 15, 18
Pekka Toivanen – cl., alto sax, tenor sax; Antti Sarpila – cl., sopr. sax; Mikko Pettinen – tpt, fl.horn; Juha Kortehisto – trb; Juha Lanu – gtr; Seppo Hovi – piano, accordion; Wade Mikkola – bass; Keith Hall – drms

Recorded live at Savoy Theatre in Helsinki, Finland by Pyry Räty (4.10.2017, 18.10.2019), Mika Kinnunen (22.9.2018)
Mixed and Mastered at Soundteam Godzinsky Ltd. Studios
Engineer: Robert de Godzinsky
Cover design: Pirta Mikkola
Photos: Martti Koljonen
Produced by Suomen Perinnejazz ry (Classic Jazz Society of Finland)