I Think You’re Awesome offers a fresh and genre bending take on modern music with their intoxicating blend of afro-rhythms, Americana, jazz, Nordic roots and indie-pop.

With sold-out concerts all over their native Denmark, more than 1500 plays on national radio, over half a million streams on Spotify and multiple nominations for Danish Music Awards Jazz it’s no wonder that Niels Overgaard from Jazznyt awarded them the JazzNyt Prize and referred them to as “…The next big thing in Danish jazz’” after the release of their albums ‘Books’ and ‘Books Live’ back in 2016.

Since then the album Kiss Your Darlings has seen the light of day, and in 2020, following their 10th year anniversary in 2019, the band is working on no less than three new records showcasing three different collaborations initiated as part of the anniversary: 1) with the
international string-quartet Taïga, 2) with the renowned big band Aarhus Jazz Orchestra and 3) with singer/songwriter Thomas Madsen. Besides that, they are touring extensively nationally and internationally in the core sextet-formation that has been I Think You’re Awesome since the early start. Each and every one of them have been touring all over the world and are celebrated and respected musicians in their own right.

I Think You’re Awesome is pure non-constricted music and good vibes. Energetic and welcoming live-shows with a great dose of virtuosity and a unique band-sound.

Line-up: Jens Mikkel Madsen (bs), Alex Jønsson (gtr), Morten Kærup (gtr/banjo), Lars Fiil (keys), Frej Lesner (perc/electronics), Andreas Skamby (drm)

More details coming soon..

More details coming soon…

Fabrice Falandry:
vocals, guitar – acoustic and lap steel

Little Willie Mehto:
vocals, acoustic guitar and harmonica

Music of FF & LWM can be described as a crossover of delta and country blues. Vocals guitars and harmonica take turns in a smooth manner when Fabrice and Little Willie get their show going. You will be served a combination of cover songs with plenty of own production in the mix from both gentlemen in their native languages.

Mr. Fabrice Falandry is a french singer songwriter and a guitar enthusiast. Fabrice’s “au Zenith” EP received best lap steel guitarist award on The Weissenborn Information Exchange. Latest release “Le Gout de L’effort” (2019) featured Little Willie Mehto playing harmonica. Fabrice Falandry’s music is influenced by Missisippi John Hurt, Ry Cooder and Kelly Joe Phelps.

Little Willie Mehto released his first solo album “There Ain’t No Coolin” in 2014. Ever since he has been busy performing in europe. While in France he also had an opportunity to work together with Yokatta Brothers as a vocalist. Furthermore, they ended up recording a live studio album “Yokatta Live Session nr. 1” together in 2018. In Finland Little Willie is often seen playing with local heros as Sami Saari, Robbie Hill, Esa Kuloniemi and Dr. Helander & Third Ward.

More details coming soon..

More details coming soon..

Hoedown, founded by Mika Kuokkanen and Masa Maijanen, played their first gig at the Art Goes to Kapakka – happening in 2002. Esa Kaartamo and Olli Haavisto joined the band that night as special guests. The chemistry worked and it was natural for them to join the Hoedown. Seven musicians had found the joy of making music together. The story of the Hoedown was ready to begin.

The musical roots of Hoedown are a natural and free mix of american roots styles: country, rock’n’roll, folk and blues. On record and live you’ll hear songs by, for example, Little Feat, The Band, Hank Williams and Kasey Chambers, in addition to originals firmly rooted in the band’s chosen styles.

Lanai is the folk extravaganza of Finnish musicians Petri Kuusela (1990) and Tanja Torvikoski (1986) where rootsy, American singer-songwriter and folk music tradition meets wide, northern soundscapes.

Both born and raised in the northern port city of Oulu, the pair circled their shared hometown for years before actually meeting. They were following their own musical paths that seemed to be veering towards session musicianship and/or solo careers. However, from the moment they first played together, it didn’t take long for a driving duo to take shape. Kuusela’s virtuous guitar playing and Torvikoski’s haunting singing voice make up a musical conversation that is the foundation of their songwriting as well as live dynamics. Topped with vocal harmonies and thoughtfully weaved arrangements Lanai’s live performances make an evocative and even meditative experience.

The kinship shared towards the songwriting tradition and aesthetics has served as a common language and a compass amid the abundance of their musical influences. This pull in the same direction became the guideline for the record which, regardless of the melancholic undercurrent, bears a strong sense of hope.

We Get You Funkiest Ever!

LineUp: Risto Kumpulainen (pno),  Mikko Murtomaa (bass), Sami Vettenranta (drs)
Knucklebone Oscar (gtr), Marjo Leinonen (Voc)

The Hilland County Bluegrass Band is composed of five Finnish string virtuosos of international level. Their repertoire consists of both modern and traditional bluegrass as well as other American folk pieces.

More details coming soon..

Teri Mantere is a Finnish-Australian artist, multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter from Helsinki, whose acoustic-based music is a unique mix of styles, capturing listeners through virtuosic vocal and huitar playing. Teri is releasing his first full solo album “Everything Needs To Breathe” in early 2020 and Ylläs Jazz Blues festival is honoured to be the first of the release concert venues.

The release concert is a journey lead by a man who has been musically likened to Ed Sheeran and Jeff Buckle, among others. Genre-wise the music consists of elements of jazz, blues, pop and even a more traditional singer -songwriter approach. The lyrics are sometimes stories and somethimes more cryptic, poem-like texts which leave plenty of room fo interpretation.

After the concert the album will be available in CD form, and later on in Vinyl and on streaming services upon full realease. The album is published through Eclipse Music

Pauli Halme (guitar) and Antti Vuorenmaa (mandolin) are known for their work on their Hilland Records -company and the legendary weekly Hilland Mondays live country music club in Helsinki. On their duo performances you might hear anything from classic bluegrass and country songs to their original tunes.

.. more details coming soon…

DJ Mikko Saari fills his record bag with a cavalcade of vintage groovies of various types for the festival. Soul, funky, little reggaish, some jazzy, even 70’s proto-disco make your mind go jabadaba. Of course some nice oddities out of the sector will also come.

Only vinyl is real!

Mika Kuokkanen is known for his work with the Hoedown band, one of the Finland`s roots music`s most precious gems. Besides Hoedown Kuokkanen has worked as a solo artist ( KKANE) and as  a musician for many of the top artists in Finland ( J.Karjalainen, Edu Kettunen, Mikko Kuustonen, Erin, Maarit etc. ) during his relatively long career.  At the moment he has also an honour to be part of the legendary Broadcast band.  Besides his solo gig Mika will perform twice at the Jazz & Blues festival with his band Hoedown

Mika`s solo gig consists of a mixture of his own songs and his favorite cover songs that he has arranged love and care!

Jere Ijäs (born in Hämeenlinna) is a singer/songwriter and musician from Helsinki Finland. His songs have been playing on the Finnish radio since the debut album (Jere & The Universe 2004). Jere Ijäs is a member of famed Finnish roots-group Hoedown in which he shares the singing duties together with Mika Kuokkanen. Jere Ijäs has many collaborations in the Finnish music scene from legendary roots pioneer Eero Raittinen to Jonna Tervomaa and modern americana band Tuomo & Markus. On Jeres own recordings he might play piano, bass or even drums but while singing on stage he usually grabs his favourite, the guitar.

More deatails coming soon…

Human stories of everyday life, conflicts, love, good times… Told by means of inspiring and groovy music.

Frim-Fram plays versatile and swinging blues with a capturing touch. In the repertoire of this ensemble that sounds bigger than it’s actual size there are both stylish originals and cover-classics. Two vocalists, saxophone, guitar, stompbox and a harp guarantee an exceptionally solid groove that makes the audience to enjoy and dance!

Juki, who has also been named Finlands best male jazz vocalist, plays also guitar, rough blues harp, and stompbox. Saxophonist Sirpa, who has a sound palette that reaches from soft smokey to rootsy growl is also the second lead vocalist and background vocalist.

Juki Välipakka: Vocals/ guitar/ harp/ stompbox
Sirpa Suomalainen: Saxophone