A grand orchestra with rich sounds and spoken word: Sointi Jazz Orchestra’s album release concert in pictures

One year after celebrating their tenth anniversary, Sointi Jazz Orchestra (SJO) took to the stage at the Malmitalo Hall in Helsinki on October 1, 2024, to present their sixth album, Jäähyväiset (Farewell). What makes this jazz orchestra unique in Finland is its impressive size and rich history. The 18-member ensemble performs concert programmes specifically composed and arranged for their lineup, all while embracing an open-minded approach: their guest soloists are often artists who have never before performed with a large jazz orchestra. Notable past collaborators include the joik-accordion duo VILDÁ, Estonian saxophonist Maria Faust and singer-songwriter Matti Johannes Koivu. At the Malmitalo Hall, the ensemble were joined by vibraphonist-percussionist Mikko Antila and spoken word artist Nihkee, who also features on the new album.

Hannes Kaukoranta on the French horn pictured above and Pekka Seppänen on the baritone saxophone (and also on the bass clarinet, clarinet and flute) below.

The orchestra prepares for the evening’s concert with a sound check. 

Aleksis Liukko on the piano and keyboards (above).
Janne Saarinen on the English horn and also on the oboe and tenor saxophone (below).

Arttu Huopainen on the drums (above).

Vibraphonist-percussionist Mikko Antila (in the background, below) joined the concert as a reinforcement. In the foreground, Oskari Siirtola plays the double bass (below).

The evening’s vocalist was spoken word artist Nihkee, delivering a performance that pushed the boundaries of verbal expression and vocal sound.

The band performs 11 to 15 concerts annually – usually across various locations in Finland – re-inventing the big band format. 

SJO has released five albums before the most recent one. The newly launched sixth album, Jäähyväiset, was officially released the day following the concert.

The band donned floral patterns for their performance attire.

When the concert began, the orchestra played all eight tracks from the Jäähyväiset album in order and without any interludes, all composed by the ensemble’s artistic director, Rasmus Soini. The pieces showcase influences from various musical styles, including jazz, film music, alternative and punk.

Soini explains that the compositions for the album were inspired by the wonders of nature and the complex relationship between nature and humanity. It is more experimental than their previous albums, searching for new sonic expressions.

As the concert went on, the atmosphere occasionally shifted to Balearic vibes, seamlessly transitioning into a high-tempo cinematic score.

Composer Ramus Soini conducted the performance pictured above. Sami Leponiemi on the alto saxophone (and also on the clarinet and flute) below.

The concert at Malmitalo Hall marked the first time tracks from the Jäähyväiset album were performed for an audience. Nearly a year had passed since the album was recorded on the day of the concert. Unusually for such a large ensemble, the recording was conducted section by section, with each musician placed in their own isolated room. During post-production, layers were created from multiple takes and enhanced with a variety of effects.

The dramatic structure of the concert remained cohesive from beginning to end. After the performance, a satisfied listener exclaimed:

“What a soul-nourishing experience!”

"I usually get very nervous, and the tension stays with me until the concert begins”, says Rasmus Soini. “After the performance, I am on top of the world.”

Sointi Jazz Orchestra:

• Rasmus Soini – conductor, composer 
• Petteri Hietamäki – alto and soprano saxophone, flute, alto flute
• Sami Leponiemi – alto saxophone, clarinet, flute 
• Frans Thomsson – tenor and soprano saxophone, clarinet, flute 
• Janne Saarinen – tenor saxophone, English horn, oboe 
• Pekka Seppänen – baritone saxophone, bass clarinet, clarinet, flute
• Kalevi Louhivuori – trumpet, flugelhorn 
• Mikko Pettinen – trumpet, flugelhorn 
• Joona Kilponen – trumpet, flugelhorn 
• Jasmin Afaneh – trumpet, flugelhorn, flute, alto flute
• Hannes Kaukoranta – French horn 
• Oleksandr Charkin – trombone 
• Max Silfverberg – trombone 
• Panu Luukkonen – trombone 
• Kenneth Ojutkangas – tuba
• Aleksis Liukko – piano, keyboards 
• Oskari Siirtola – bass 
• Arttu Huopainen – drums, percussion

Guests:  

• Nihkee – spoken word
• Mikko Antila – percussion, vibraphone