Take a look at new and upcoming jazz albums and have a happy new year in the company of Finnish jazz!  

Kalle Kalima: High Noon

Kalle Kalima’s new album High Noon will be released at the end of January via ACT Music. On High Noon Kalima takes a look at the themes of western movies, as well as evergreens like Leonard Cohen’s ”Hallelujah” and The Shadows’ ”Man of Mystery” and Finnish popular tunes as well as ”Jaeger March” by Jean Sibelius.

Jan Simons: Travellers

Travellers is the title of jazz bassist Jan Simons’ latest album, which was released in December. On Travellers Simons collaborates with pianist and conductor Kenneth Crouch, best known for working with Lauryn Hill, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Eric Clapton and many other superstars during his long career, as well as guitarist Adam Hawley (Natalie Cole, Manhattan Transfer, Joss Stone), and percussionist Lyndon Rochelle.

Aki Rissanen Trio: Amorandom

Aki Rissanen Trio’s new album Amorandom is based and takes its name from a short animation film, in which Aki Rissanen composed the music. The album is the trio’s debut for Edition Records, and it will be released in February. In addition to pianist Rissanen the trio consists of drummer Teppo Mäkynen and bassist Antti Lötjönen.

Iiro Rantala: My Working Class Hero 

On his solo piano album My Working Class Hero, Iiro Rantala pays tribute to John Lennon, one of Rantala’s most important musical influences. Conceptually the album, which was released by ACT Music in August, continues from Rantala’s album Lost Heroes, on which he paid tribute to his various musical idols. 

Teddy's West Coasters: Volume I & II

Drummer Teppo Mäkynen leads Teddy’s West Coasters, his octet supergroup, whose sound is inspired by 50’s and 60’s west coast jazz. The group’s debut album was released in two parts, with Volume I in July and Volume II in November.