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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.

The 44th international Tampere Jazz Happening will be held from 30 October to 2 November 2025. Immerse yourself in the current trends of jazz music at Paja Kongressi, Telakka and Tampere Hall with eight concert events and 21 performing ensembles.

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.

Tomoki Sanders, a 30-year-old saxophonist and composer, now steps into the spotlight as a bandleader. Tomoki's music reveals both the enduring legacy of their father, Pharoah Sanders, and the vibrant joy of discovering their own artistic voice.

Concert events at Paja Kongressi and Tampere Hall take several hours. To avoid being caught out by hunger, please read this article on restaurant services at the venues and make table reservations in advance where possible.

Swedish trumpeter, composer and bandleader Goran Kajfeš is a restless musical explorer. From genre-defying jazz collectives to collaborations with pop icons, his work spans decades and styles. Ahead of his performance at Tampere Jazz Happening with the hypnotic Tropiques, Kajfeš shares insights into his creative process, recent projects and what’s next on his ever-evolving musical journey.

The early-2000s success story The Five Corners Quintet is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its debut album Chasin’ The Jazz Gone By with a handful of selected gigs. The band is also returning to Tampere Jazz Happening, where it performed back in 2005. Drummer Teppo Mäkynen shares his current thoughts in our interview.

This autumn, Tampere Jazz Happening will be preceded by two special warm-up evenings.