Saksofoni & Jokellus (Saxophone x Baby Babble)

What happens when a jazz saxophone meets a baby’s babble? On Sunday 1 November, two concerts will take place in the Music Hall at Culture House Laikku, bringing together, in a unique and moving way, the voices of babies of different ages and the jazz improvisations of saxophonist Sami Sippola.

In August 2026, two distinct sound art works were created from recordings made by families of the youngest visitors to the Children’s Cultural Centre Rulla. One of these works will receive its premiere at Tampere Jazz Happening. The sound pieces feature the delightful laughter, coos and other vocalisations of babies and toddlers as they respond to and make contact with the world around them. The works were created by sound designer Edit Viljamaa.

Sami Sippola is a Tampere-based saxophonist and composer whose achievements are particularly rooted in jazz. With the ensemble Hot Heros, Sippola has pushed the boundaries of jazz and brought the genre energetically to a wide variety of audiences. The group’s latest album, Tähtisilmä, features compositions by master folk musician Konsta Jylhä, reimagined in a folk-jazz style. Sippola’s musical open-mindedness and versatility have also led him to perform in a range of settings spanning blues, rock, folk and reggae, as well as dance and world music.

Edit Viljamaa (born 2000) is a Helsinki-based sound designer, photographer and singer-songwriter. She graduated from the Sound Design degree programme at the Theatre Academy of the University of the Arts Helsinki and is currently completing a Master’s degree at The University of the Arts Utrecht. Viljamaa is fascinated by the therapeutic effects of the human voice and enjoys exploring its many dimensions. Her works evoke emotions and insights, guiding listeners deep into the world of sound.

At the Children’s Cultural Centre Rulla, children are regarded as active participants from infancy onwards, with their perspectives and experiences considered meaningful and valuable. Both the baby sound works and the Saksofoni x Jokellus concerts form part of the City of Tampere’s broader goal in children’s culture: to make children’s art visible and to give space for their voices to be heard.

We warmly welcome listeners of all ages to enjoy this atmospheric and truly unique sonic experience.

The concert has been organised in collaboration between Tampere Jazz Happening and the Children’s Cultural Centre Rulla. The event lasts approximately 20 minutes.