Sibis Jazz Faculty workshop 2021

19.8.2021 0 Like 0 kommenttia

From left to right:
John Hollenbeck, Ethan Iverson, Mike Moreno, Sami Linna, Tuure Koski, Jaska Lukkarinen, Jari Perkiömäki, Verneri Pohjola, Mikko Helevä, Riitta Paakki, Mikko Hassinen, Mikko ”Gunu” Karjalainen, Jussi Lehtonen, Mirja Mäkelä, Ape Anttila, Kari Ikonen and Jussi Kannaste

In May 2011 Sibis Jazz organized the first ever Sibis Jazz Faculty Workshop. The three day workshop took place in the beautiful surroundings of Kallio-Kuninkala training centre in Järvenpää with 18 faculty members. For the faculty ensemble leaders we invited three highly respected jazz artist: Jerry Bergonzi (US), Jesse van Ruller (NL) and Guillermo Klein (ARG). The visiting artists brought the music and naturally played with their ensembles. This workshop was a success and we all agreed that this should become a tradition. The idea for the workshop came from Denmark and the Summer Session Camp organized by the Danish Jazz Federation. I participated in the Summer Session in 2009 and wanted to bring the concept also to Finland.
The year 2014 edition took place also in Kallio-Kuninkala with Ellery Eskelin (US), Obed Calvaire (US) and Antonio Faraó (IT) being the invited artists. The following edition in 2017 had Anders Jormin (SE), Jim Black (US) and Seamus Blake (US) leading the ensembles.

International visiting artist are very important part of the normal activities in the jazz department. We invite around 30–40 individual artists every school year to teach and play. Most of the time due to busy touring schedules the visits are very short only having an 1,5 hour master class. During the short visits it’s hard to focus on the very fine details of jazz nor including meetings with our faculty. This workshop makes it possible to delve deep into jazz and just enjoy playing together for three days.

The feedback has been only positive both from the international visitors and our faculty. This is a very unique concept. The workshop is very important for the faculty team spirit, introducing Finnish musicians to our visitors and also for making our department more known for our guests. Naturally the focus during these workshops is on playing but there is also discussion forums included in the program. In every edition we talk about the challenges in teaching jazz, collecting teaching tips from our visitors and thinking about the future of the Sibis jazz department. And the discussions continues during the lunch and dinner breaks and when in Finland naturally in the sauna.

This August we gathered again in Kallio-Kuninkala. We had to wait for this an extra year for this because of the pandemia. This time we had John Hollenbeck (US), Ethan Iverson (US) and Mike Moreno (US) leading the ensembles. Especially this year after a long struggle with the pandemia the atmosphere was just perfect and warm. It was great to see colleagues and the most important to play together.

Jazz Finland, Sibelius Academy Jazz Music Department at Uniarts Helsinki, UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra and the Finnish Musicians’ Union are launching a new international jazz residency program in Helsinki. The Jazz Finland Residency is a top-level, invitation-only residency for jazz musicians, composers and conductors. Coordinated by Jazz Finland, the program invites two international guest artists each year to Finland for a residency which can last anywhere from one to two months. The residency program is designed for top jazz names and promising up-and-coming musicians. John Hollenbeck was the first residency artist and the workshop was a part of that program.

I am so happy and privileged to work with these faculty members who are always ready to challenge themselves and search new things in order to improve and go further. 

In this case luckily time goes fast. Looking forward already to the year 2024 edition.

Jussi Kannaste
Head of jazz dept and Sibis Jazz Faculty Workshop