In December 2025 Juhani “Junnu” Aaltonen turns 90. He is one of the most influential tenor saxophonists and flautists from Finland and one of the first generations of musicians who gave Finnish jazz its own distinct voice. Aaltonen has appeared on over 3,500 recordings – from tango to progressive rock, but he has constantly returned to the freer, improvisation-driven jazz that is closest to his heart.
Joining him at Fasching is saxophonist Jonas Kullhammar, who holds Aaltonen as a great idol and role model. With his group Svenska Kaputt, he recorded the song “Vesaaltonen” in 2015 as a tribute to both Aaltonen and Finnish drummer Edward Vesala.
Drummer Ilmari Heikinheimo is something of an heir to Edward Vesala, and had Vesala as a teacher as a child. Here he forms the rhythm section together with Norwegian bassist Christian Meaas Svendsen. With classical training in his arms, jazz in his legs and a head full of music, he can otherwise be heard in groups like Mopti, Duplex and Paal Nilssen-Love Large Unit.
The group debuted in 2019 at Fasching and has since released the acclaimed album The Father, The Sons & The Junnu on Kullhammar’s Moserobie. The return to Fasching will be an improvised journey across both genre and national boundaries where freedom is in focus and Aaltonen is the master.
This concert is part of the series Finlands Sak I Vår where we, together with the Finnish Institute, highlight five of the most exciting Finnish names at the outer edges of jazz, psychedelic funk and synthetic pop.
