Days are shorter and nights longer, so we compiled a list of 10 new promising jazz records to give warmth against the rainy and cold season. 

Pianist Joona Toivanen, whose trio outfit has previously recorded for Blue Note and CAMJazz, is preparing for the release of his first solo album via Footprint Records. The album will be released in December at We Jazz 2013 where Toivanen will debut his solo piano concept live.

Trumpet man Jukka Eskola, one of Finland's leading jazz artists released his new album Jukka Eskola Orquesta Bossa in September via Milan's Schema Records. The album features a nine-piece ensemble, including the Proton String Quartet, tackling a programme of "Scandi Bossa" originals penned by Eskola and drummer/producer Teppo Mäkynen.

October releases include Liberty Ship’s debut album, which will consist mainly of improvised material. Liberty Ship is led by saxophonist Esa Pietilä, with Antti Lötjönen on bass, Olavi Louhivuori on drums and Aki Rissanen on keys.

Meanwhile, Olavi Louhivuori’s own quintet Oddarrang will release their new album In Cinema on 7 October via UK's Edition Records. Edition Records will also release Aki Rissanen trio’s debut album Aleatoric in the UK in November.

Petri Nieminen Ensemble’s upcoming album will be the first Finnish jazz record released also on Blu-ray audio format. The album is scheduled for an October release via Alba. Soprano Anu Komsi and trumpet player Kalevi Louhivuori join Nieminen on the album, which is described as a progressive jazz album with influences from rock and contemporary music.   

Juha Kujanpää’s new album Kivenpyörittäjä is coming out in November via KuuRecords and Eclipse Music. The album, which combines progressive rock, jazz and folk music, will feature Timo Kämäräinen and Verneri Pohjola. 

The meditative jazz songs on Sakari Kukko Quartet’s upcoming album Valo are based on religious hymn compositions. The line-up on the record is Sakari Kukko on saxophone, Uffe Krokfors on bass, Mika Kallio on drums and Iro Haarla on piano and harp.

Iro Haarla Sextet’s Kolibri had its European release now via TUM Records. The songs on the album are influenced by the lives of birds, which has been a recurring motif in Iro Haarla's works. Haarla's use of three wind instrument players give the compositions diversity and arrangements not so different from ones used with big bands. 

Jazz guitarist Kari Antila’s latest solo record The North Wind is released by Seventh String Music. Antila, who lived for ten years in Belgium and New York, gathered a Finnish line-up for this "back to roots" album of his.