InkJazz 2026

InkJazz concert at the Ankkapurha Industrial Museum

Friday 28.8. at 7 pm

Ankkapurha Industrial Museum, Kouvola Inkeroinen, Kuitutie 2.

Immerse yourself in the magic of jazz music on the banks of the Kymijoki River. Internationally and nationally renowned jazz musicians will take the stage in a unique environment. The artistic director of the event is Doctor of Music, saxophonist Jari Perkiömäki.

Jazz music on the banks of the Kymijoki River! A great combination of skillful interpretation of jazz music and energetic improvisation. Organised by the city’s cultural services in cooperation with the Ankkapurha Industrial Museum Foundation and StoraEnson’s Anjalankoski factories, as well as numerous creative companies and associations.

Performers in summer 2026

Jonathan Gee (UK) quartet

Reimagining the Beatles. Beatles tunes in new jazz arrangements.

* Jonathan Gee piano
* Jari Perkiömäki saxophone
* Jori Huhtala bass
* Arttu Huopainen drums

JONATHAN GEE

London-born Jonathan Gee, who performs with Finnish musicians in a top quartet, has performed and recorded with British, American, Italian, French and also Finnish musicians since the early 1990s. He has recorded eight albums with his own bands.

The repertoire currently heard on InkJazz is mainly based on Jonathan’s arrangements of Beatles tunes, which were released on the “Beatles Reimagined” album in December 2020. Saxophonist Jari Perkiömäki was with Jonathan Gee’s band when they performed at the 606 club in London last September.

JARI PERKIÖMÄKI

Saxophonist Jari Perkiömäki has a long professional career as a performing artist, teacher, director and cultural influencer. Originally from Pori, Perkiömäki has also performed extensively internationally. Perkiömäki has worked as the director and vice-rector of the Sibelius Academy’s jazz department, and after the merger of the University of the Arts Helsinki, as the university’s rector in the period 2015-2020. Currently, Perkiömäki serves, among other things, as the chairman of the Finnish Jazz Association. He has been the artistic director of InkJazz since 2009.

JORI HUHTALA

Growing up in Jyväskylä in Central Finland, Jori Huhtala became interested in jazz music at a young age. He began his studies in his hometown and graduated with a master’s degree from the jazz music department of the Sibelius Academy in 2014.

Huhtala performs and records with numerous top Finnish artists, such as Eero Koivistoinen, Jukkis Uotila, Raoul Björkenheim, Jussi Fredriksson, Nina Mya and Sid Hille. His international collaborators include David Liebman, Billy Hart, Tim Hagans and Tim Ries.

Huhtala is an active composer and has released several albums of his own music. Currently, Jori is focusing on his quartet Jori Huhtala Basis, which released its debut album on Flame Jazz Records in May 2025.

ARTTU HUOPAINEN

Drummer Arttu Huopainen is an active freelance musician in the Helsinki metropolitan area. His playing can be heard in bands such as Sointi Jazz Orchestra, Syskofrenia, TRI-, Tuigu led by guitarist Juha Björninen, and many other bands.

Arttu Huopainen released an album this spring with his new band South-East Corner. The band plays new jazz music composed by Huopainen, which is strongly inspired by his own roots in the southeast corner. The music is a mix of jazz tradition and themes from her home region.

Maja Mannila trio

Top-class youthful jazz, an internationally acclaimed band.

* Maja Mannila vocals, keyboards
* Johannes Granroth bass
* Severi Sorjonen drums

Maja Mannila is a young and impressive jazz/soul singer, pianist and composer. In her trio, she has two virtuoso talents of the young generation: drummer Severi Sorjonen and guitarist/bassist Johannes Granroth. Maja Mannila Trio was selected to represent Finland at the 2023 Nordic Jazz Comets event and the band has performed in, among others, Germany, Slovenia, England and Estonia. Maja has also performed with English drummer Richard Spaven and singer Anthony Strong.

Maja’s debut album “Up & Down” was well received in the domestic media in June 2022. Her second album “Seasons” was released on November 16, 2023.

TICKETS

The price of an entrance ticket is €25. Advance ticket sales in June at the Kouvola City online store and libraries Kouvola Main Library. [https://kyyti.finna.fi/OrganisationInfo/#85980]Kouvola City online store – InkJazz [https://verkkokauppa.kouvola.fi/tuote/inkjazz-iltakonsertti/]

Tickets will be sold at the door one hour before the concert, if tickets are still available. Free admission for young people with a K9 culture card, if there is still space at the concert. Advance registration is recommended.