Martyna van Nieuwland appointed Artistic Director of Tampere Jazz Happening

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.

Over the course of four days Tampere saw the performances of 21 ensembles all together, including that of singer Aili Ikonen, who received the Finnish Jazz Federation’s Yrjö Award. On Thursday, the opening day of the festival, Mika Kaurismäki’s music documentary Every Note You Play was screened at Arthouse Cinema Niagara, followed by a free opening concert at Telakka featuring Tahmela Six.

On Friday, the festival’s first international concert event was crowned by American guitarist Mary Halvorson’s ensemble, Amaryllis Sextet. Saturday featured, among others, the very first joint performance by Kalle Kalima, Conny Bauer and Hamid Drake. Sunday’s international concerts took place in the Small Auditorium of Tampere Hall, where the festival’s new Artistic Director was also announced. She is Martyna van Nieuwland, a music curator and consultant who has held key roles in the European music scene for over a decade.

“Exactly ten years ago, I came to Tampere Jazz Happening for the first time. Over the past ten years, this festival has guided me, inspired me and served as a role model in every way: in artistic quality, warm hospitality, and attentive audiences. It is a great honour and the bar is set high. Thank you for your trust,” says van Nieuwland.

Tampere Jazz Happening’s outgoing Artistic Director, Juhamatti Kauppinen, will retire after this year’s festival.“I am grateful for this wonderful quarter of a century spent with music so dear to me, alongside some of the world’s finest musicians and colleagues. My journey with music will of course continue in other forms. I wish this magnificent festival all the very best for the future and send Martyna my warmest congratulations and success in her role as Artistic Director of the festival. See you where live music plays!” says Kauppinen.

The festival also showcased Finnish jazz. On Friday, the concert evening at Restaurant Telakka was opened by jazz legend Juhani “Junnu” Aaltonen, who will turn 90 in December, followed by performances from the Helmi Antila Quartet and the Iro Haarla Ouranos Ensemble. Saturday’s programme at Telakka featured Olli Ahvenlahti New Quintet, Pauli Lyytinen’s solo piece Lehto/Korpi, and Pepa Päivinen’s new Peacepipe ensemble. On Sunday evening, the event will conclude with a free concert at Telakka, featuring Lauri Kallio and his band. The evening’s DJ is Paleface, who also hosted the weekend’s international concerts.

The festival’s preliminary total attendance was 2,600, with a 94% occupancy rate. The next Tampere Jazz Happening will take place from 29 October to 1 November 2026. Renovation work at Tullikamari continues, and next year’s venues will be announced in early spring.

Festival photos