The gigantic Pori Jazz Festival 2017 includes once again dozens of concerts on July 8.-16. Only a small slice of the program has so far been published but at least a few of the main stars are in public knowledge by now.
The focus lies on the weekend of 13.-15.7. whereas the whole festival goes on for nine days.
The biggest acctractions of Pori Jazz, now for the 52nd time, go musically mostly quite far from jazz and could be simplified under the term of Adult Oriented Rock. One, however, has to remember that eventually most of the concerts, when also all the small ones are included, represent jazz. Aside various clubs and smaller concert venues the legendary Kirjurinluoto, where everything once started, is dedicated to jazz.
Jazzwise the biggest names this year are Herbie Hancock and Bill Frisell. Hancock brings to Pori his new electric band whose musicians are not so far known. Frisell, on the other hand, comes with a comparatively fresh trio including Tony Scherr on bass and the drummer Kenny Wollesen. The Finnish top name seems to be the trumpet player, Verneri Pohjola. His group plays the music of Pekka Pohjola (legendary ex-Wigwam bassist and a composer of many widely acclaimed solo recordings).
Hot names for big crowds consist of both old legends and relatively new, supposedly rising stars. Man behind Beach Boys, Brian Wilson, brings his group BW presents Pet Sounds. Jamiroquai and good old Jethro Tull are listed, too. Of the rising names Fantastic Negrito offers his blues / soul / rock / roots fusion whereas Michael Kiwanuka brings with him some British soul of today.
More names are coming up little by little. Stay tuned for further information at www.porijazz.fi.
Timo Vähäsilta
