Dates:
- Wed, 12 Aug 2026, 16:00–19:15
On the final day of Etno-Espa, the stage overflows with dialogue between piano and accordion, Tanzanian-Finnish duetting, and tones of East-African jazz.
16.00 | Teija Niku & Juha Kujanpää
Accordionist Teija Niku and pianist Juha Kujanpää are known as individual composers and sovereign masters of their instruments. Their music draws influences from folk, classical and jazz music, among others.
Niku and Kujanpää have collaborated for over 15 years, including in the folk music trio Karuna. The idea of composing new material for the piano and accordion duo arose during the pandemic. Both composed the material on their own, which then took shape in regular playing sessions during 2022 and 2023.
The new compositions come into their own when the piano and accordion act as equal partners, each taking turns as a soloist and accompanying party – without forgetting improvisation. The collaboration culminated in the album Aamunkoitto , which was released by Rockadillo Records in March 2025.
Teija Niku – accordion
Juha Kujanpää – piano
17.15 | Etnosoi! Chiwalala/Saastamoinen duo
The Chiwalala/Saastamoinen duo was founded in 2021. In the duo’s musical work, Tanzanian ngoma music, Finnish folk music, and African American jazz double bass playing and improvisation come together. Rich and deeply developed interplay is an essential starting point for their compositions, as the pieces slowly take shape during long, trance-like playing sessions.
Arnold Chiwalala: vocals, kantele, ngoma drums
Mikael Saastamoinen: double bass
The concert is presented by the Global Music Centre.
18.30 | Baraka Issabu Quintet
Baraka Iss...
Cost: Free
Categories: Musiikki, Espan lava, Suomi, Ruotsi, Englanti, son mexicano
More information: http://www.espanlava.fi/en/events/event/9313269002C967DF0F853F4E523B7A6B/Teija_Niku_Juha_Kujanpaa_Etnosoi_Chiwalala_Saastamoinen_duo_Baraka_Issabu_Quintet
Source: Event information supplied by City of Helsinki Linked Events.
