31.10.2025
The Finnish Jazz Federation’s Yrjö Award to Vocalist Aili Ikonen
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 Yrjö Award has been presented annually since 1967 to an accomplished Finnish jazz musician. This year’s recipient is vocalist Aili Ikonen. In recent years, the award has gone to bassist Antti Lötjönen (2024), saxophonist Linda Fredriksson (2023) and trumpeter Jukka Eskola (2022).
– Ikonen is a distinctive singer-songwriter, a sensitive yet virtuosic interpreter whose expressive range is rooted in jazz but boldly crosses genre boundaries, explains Jari Perkiömäki, member of the Finnish Jazz Federation’s award jury.
– Even as a young newcomer, Ikonen captivated audiences with her musical and skillful scat improvisations – the kind that listeners in Finland were not accustomed to hearing, Perkiömäki continues.
Known for her radiant voice and emotive compositions, Aili Ikonen has released five solo albums, the latest being Valo (2024), recorded with the Oulu Symphony Orchestra and a jazz trio. Her career includes collaborations with leading jazz artists such as Jukka Perko and Herd, numerous big band projects, and acclaimed interpretations of Ella Fitzgerald. Ikonen performs with her long-standing sextet and has appeared as a soloist with UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra, Norrbotten Big Band, Sinfonia Lahti and even at the Finnish Independence Day Gala at the Presidential Palace. In addition to her solo work, Ikonen regularly composes and writes lyrics for the vocal ensemble Rajaton, of which she has been a member since 2018. In 2021, the Aili Ikonen Songbook – Nuori vapaa nainen was published.
Following the award ceremony, Ikonen performed with her trusted collaborators: pianist Tuomas J. Turunen, double bassist Mikko Pellinen and drummer Mikko Arlin – musicians who have been part of her sextet for 13 years and with whom she has recorded all five solo albums. Ikonen and her ensemble are also set to release a new EP in spring 2026.
In her acceptance speech, Ikonen emphasized, among other things, the freedom of expression in jazz: – In my work, I move between many genres, but my heart always beats for jazz and for the freedom of expression that I feel is its essence. This award feels particularly meaningful at a time when the value of art seems so easily dismissed. My heartfelt thanks!
The Yrjö artwork: Origo 11 by visual artist Inka Bell
The Yrjö Award includes an artwork by a different visual artist each year. This year’s piece is Origo 11 (serigraphy and laser engraving on paper, 2024) by Inka Bell. – I chose this work because I saw many parallels with the award recipient’s artistry. Ikonen’s expression combines sensitivity and strength, rhythm and layers, and a clarity of voice. In her vocal work, I recognize a similar subtle play with variations as in my own process, where I combine paper with various printmaking techniques, explains Bell.
Inka Bell is a Helsinki-based visual artist who has recently exhibited her works at the Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma and the Espoo Museum of Modern Art (EMMA). Bell received the William Thuring Main Prize in 2024, and her works are included in several major Finnish public art collections as well as international collections such as the Contemporary Art Collection of the European Parliament.
Andania lifetime achievement award to Bosse Mellberg
Since 1988, the Finnish Jazz Federation has presented the discretionary Andania Award in recognition of long-term and distinguished contributions to Finnish jazz. This year, the recognition was awarded to Bosse Mellberg, longtime chair of Korppoo Jazz Association, under whose leadership professional Finnish jazz music has become the focal point of Korpo Sea Jazz’s programming policy.
– Bosse Mellberg is a wonderful example of how one can build a community around jazz, where quality and presence go hand in hand. As the driving force behind Korpo Sea Jazz, he has turned the festival into an exceptionally musician-centered event where artistic ambition and a warm, human atmosphere complement each other. In addition, Bosse has played a key role in strengthening the vitality of the jazz scene in the Archipelago Sea region, as well as in founding the Archipelago Sea Jazz entity and Åland Sea Jazz, describes the award jury, which consists of members of the Jazz Federation’s board.
The Taimi award to drummer Veikka Kajamies
The Finnish Jazz Federation’s annual Taimi Award is granted to a young musician who passionately develops their own musical expression. With the award, the Federation encourages young artists to boldly explore and present their individual voices. The award includes performance opportunities at three Finnish jazz festivals, which this year are Porvoo Jazz Festival, Salo Jazz Festival and Jazz-Espa. The third-ever Taimi Award was presented to drummer Veikka Kajamies.
– Kajamies amazed the Finnish jazz community already in his early teens with his skilled and fearless playing in various settings. Since then, despite his young age, he has become a central figure in Turku’s vibrant jazz scene. His strong musicianship and courageous expression provide an excellent foundation for building an impressive career both in Finland and internationally, summarized the award jury, composed of members of the Jazz Federation’s board.
The Varjo-Yrjö to Juhamatti Kauppinen
The Varjo-Yrjö Award, presented by Yle’s Jazzradio for promoting jazz culture, was awarded to Juhamatti Kauppinen, the long-serving artistic director and producer of the Tampere Jazz Happening. Kauppinen’s visionary and uncompromising programming was recognized in 2017 with the Europe Jazz Network’s Adventurous Programming Award. He has been responsible for the festival’s programming since 2002 and is retiring following this year’s event.
The awards were presented at Paja Kongressi in Tampere on 31 October 2025. The ceremony and Aili Ikonen’s concert were part of the Finnish Jazz Federation’s National Jazz Days and the Tampere Jazz Happening program.
