Conducted by Tommi Kolunen
Founded in 1971, the Pori Big Band performed for the first time at the Pori Jazz Festival exactly 50 years ago, at the opening concert at Kirjurinluoto on Friday, July 12, 1974. On that day, material was also recorded for Pori Big Band’s first album, “Live At Pori Jazz Festival,” released in 1976. Since then, Pori Big Band has had the honor of being part of the festival’s story. Pori’s official rhythm music big orchestra, Pori Big Band, will once again open the Pori Jazz 2024 festival at Kirjurinluoto on Friday, July 12, at 6:00 PM at Cafe Pori Jazz, with special guest Sami Saari.
The king of Finnish soul, Sami Saari, or as he refers to himself, the smallholder and heavy consumer of Finnish soul music, has had a long and highly impressive career in Finland’s music scene. Sami’s hits “Ainutkertainen” and “Onnen Kyyneleet” continue to charm, gathering new listeners. Nowadays, Sami performs and records mainly with his Jazzpojat band. In addition to his own recordings, Sami has appeared in the productions of Finland’s most successful rap artists, such as Cheek and Elastinen. Thus, Sami Saari is both a timeless and contemporary artist.
Sami is a jazzman at heart. In the opening concert of Pori Jazz, we will hear Sami’s danceable, swinging, and grooving jazz composed for his Jazzpojat band, jazz standards and soul classics translated into Finnish by Sami, as well as Sami’s hits.