Avajaiskonsertti: Jazz Suomi 100 + Hassan Maikal + Sointi Jazz Orchestra

At the Opening Concert of the Oulu Music Festival, Finnish jazz takes center stage under the direction of the Sointi Jazz Orchestra. The first half of the concert, titled Jazz in Finland 100, offers both premieres and classics from the jazz canon. After the intermission, the stage will host a thrilling collaboration that amazed audiences at Flow Festival as well, when Sointi Jazz Orchestra is joined by rap artist Hassan Maikal.

In Jazz in Finland 100, Sointi Jazz Orchestra delves into brand-new premieres that reflect on the history and present of Finnish jazz. In June 1926, the ship Andania brought the fresh winds of jazz from New York to Helsinki — an event regarded as the symbolic starting point of Finnish jazz. The program features new compositions and arrangements inspired by the Finnish jazz canon. The first half of the concert will showcase brilliant saxophonists Adele Sauros and Eero Koivistoinen.

The collaboration between Hassan Maikal and Sointi Jazz Orchestra unites two powerful forms of expression: a perceptive storyteller and a boldly innovative 18-piece jazz orchestra. After their rapturous debut performance at this summer’s Flow Festival, the ensemble will take the stage for the second half of the Oulu Music Festival’s Opening Concert. The program features songs from Hassan Maikal’s albums Betonitarha and Ilmaista terapiaa, newly arranged for Sointi Jazz Orchestra.

Hassan Maikal’s music moves fluently between rap, R&B, and pop. He first gained wider recognition with his acclaimed debut album Betonitarha, which earned four Emma Award nominations, including one for Album of the Year. His latest album, Ilmaista terapiaa (“Free Therapy”), was released in autumn 2024.

Founded in autumn 2013, Sointi Jazz Orchestra is one of Finland’s most intriguing jazz ensembles. Sointi is known for its carefully curated concert productions and its open-minded approach to new music.

Sointi Jazz Orchestra
Adele Sauros, saxophone
Eero Koivistoinen, saxophone
Hassan Maikal, vocals and rap

Duration approx. 2 h (incl. Intermission)

You can pre-order the intermission refreshments from restaurant Preludi´s online store: juhula.fi

The concert is part of the 2026 Oulu Music Festival.

Tickets

44 € Regular / 33 € Pensioner / 22 € Discount groups

Available through Ticketmaster Finland nationwide. Prices include handling fees. Tickets without handling fees are available from the Valve ticket office. A service fee of €3 per order will be charged for purchases from the Ticketmaster ticket shop, or €1.50 per order when purchasing from the Ticketmaster online store.

A limited number of Kaikukortti-tickets are available.

The concert is included in the Oulu Music Festival’s Madetoja series pass. Oulu Music Festival series passes are on sale from November 25, 2025, to February 15, 2026.

Ticket Sales Locations

Ticketmaster Finland nationwide
Oulu Sinfonia ticket office, Leevi Madetojan katu 3
Ticket office of Cultural Centre Valve, Hallituskatu 7, Oulu.
At the door one hour before the concert

Accessibility

The first-floor facilities of the Music Centre are accessible. There are unobstructed routes to the lobbies, halls, and restaurant areas. An accessible restroom for persons with reduced mobility is located at the left end of the cloakroom area in the Madetoja Hall lobby. For more information, visit the Oulu Music Centre website: oulunmusiikkikeskus.fi.

The organizer reserves the right to make changes.