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Having helped shape the history of the handpan almost since the instrument’s birth, Manu Delago has become one of its most distinctive and internationally acclaimed voices. In this interview, he reflects on his journey with the handpan, the inspiration he draws from nature, his sustainable cycling tours across Europe, and the projects awaiting him as he approaches 20 years of creating and performing his own music.

The Tampere Jazz Happening programme will expand to Culture Centre Laikku with two special accompanying events.

The Artistic Director of Tampere Jazz Happening 2026 opens our interview series this autumn. In the interview, Martyna talks about, among other things, why the Netherlands is such an exciting country for jazz right now.

The Tampere Jazz Happening, which will be organised for the 45th time on the weekend of All Saints’ Day, marks the opening of the refurbished Tullikamari to the public. The theme country of the programme put together by Martyna van Nieuwland, the festival's new Artistic Director, is the Netherlands. Dutch music will be heard both at the opening concert in Klubi on Thursday 29 October and in Pakkahuone concerts on the weekend.

The theme country of the 45th international Tampere Jazz Happening will be the Netherlands. In particular, Dutch jazz will be heard at the opening concert in Klubi on Thursday but also at the weekend's international concerts in Pakkahuone.

The 45th edition of the international Tampere Jazz Happening, which will be held from 29 October to 1 November 2026, offers the first taste of a festival programme put together by its new Artistic Director, Martyna van Nieuwland.

The renovation of the Tullikamari Cultural Centre will be completed in early autumn 2026.

On All Saints’ Day weekend a diverse set of music played once again as Tampere Jazz Happening filled the venues at Tulli area with modern jazz for the 44th time. Martyna van Nieuwland has been appointed as the successor to the festival’s long-serving Artistic Director, Juhamatti Kauppinen, who is now retiring.

The most esteemed recognitions in Finnish jazz were presented in Tampere on Friday, 31 October. The Finnish Jazz Federation awarded the Yrjö Award to vocalist Aili Ikonen, the Andania Lifetime Achievement Award to Bosse Mellberg, Chair of Korppoo Jazz Association, and the Taimi Award for a talented young musician to drummer Veikka Kajamies. The Varjo-Yrjö Award, given by Yle’s Jazzradio for contributions to Finnish jazz culture, was awarded to Juhamatti Kauppinen, the retiring artistic director and producer of the Tampere Jazz Happening.

Juhamatti Kauppinen, who has had a long career as the Artistic Director of Tampere Jazz Happening, shares insights into the event’s last-minute arrangements, the challenges brought on by the renovation of Tullikamari, and what it feels like to leave behind a beloved festival after this edition. Alongside the sense of wistfulness lives an excitement for a new phase in life, where jazz continues to play a strong role.