Blues news from Finland
Welcome to the Finland’s pages of europeanbluesunion.com, the website of the European Blues Union (EBU). For more information about the blues in Finland – venues, festivals, publications and much more, visit the websites detailed below:
Blues News Magazine (in Finnish and partly in English) published bimonthly and covers blues, R&B, soul, gospel, rock’n’roll and Finnish blues and roots music.
Note that three extensive music data bases of Finnish music are available on this site:
– BLUESPEDIA – covering Finnish soul and blues music.
– INSTROPEDIA – covering Finnish roots and instrumental music.
– KANTRIPEDIA – covering Finnish country music.
Blues-Finland.com (in Finnish) – blues reviews, interviews, news, gig and festival calendar.
Jazzrytmit – The Web Jazz Magazine in Finland.
Big Beat – it is Finland’s only and oldest magazine concentrated in old rock & roll, rockabilly and americana.
Tue European Blues Unionin (EBU) toimintaa, liity mukaan
EBU:n toimintaan voivat liittyä ja sitä tukea kaikki halukkaat blues-alan vaikuttajat ja yhteisöt seuraavissa eri kategorioissa:
– Blues-fani (EBU fan) 20 €.
– Aktiivijäsen, pieni yhteisö (Active member, small business/association) 100 €.
– Aktiivijäsen, iso yhteisö (Active member, large business/association) 200 €.
Yksityiskohtaiset liittymisohjeet löytyvät näiltä EBU:n web-sivuilta “Join The European Blues Union”.
*****
AND HERE’S THE LATEST NEWS…
EXHIBITION: Praise To Helsinki – The Blues Legend Eddie Boyd in Finland
Finnish Blues Society / Blues News Magazine has produced the photo and material exhibition titled “Praise To Helsinki – The Blues Legend Eddie Boyd in Finland”, which is available for display – photos separately or together with material.
Finnish Blues Society wants to honor the blues legend Eddie Boyd’s stage of life which lasted for half a century in Finland, and has put together a special photographic and material exhibition, which comprises a relatively large range of unprecedented photos as well as personal objects from the legend’s legacy.
Edward Riley “Eddie” Boyd (1914–1994), a pianist-singer from Mississippi, USA, provided a strong link to the African-American blues tradition for Finnish music enthusiasts from the early 1970’s. Eddie Boyd recorded his most famous hits Five Long Years, 24 Hours and Third Degree in Chicago in the early 1950s. He first arrived in Finland exactly 50 years ago and at the same time recorded his earliest Finnish LP “Praise To Helsinki” for the Love Records company, and lived permanently in Helsinki since 1971. He continued his career as a performer and also as a recording artist from Finland until the 1990s. Eddie married his Finnish wife, Leila, in 1977 and died in 1994 in Helsinki, and is buried in the cemetery of Pyhän Laurin Kirkko (St. Lauri’s Church) in Vantaa near Helsinki.
The roads of Eddie Boyd and Finnish Blues Society (FBS), a non-profit music association, did meet over the decades often. FBS released two compilation albums (“Brotherhood” in 1975 and “Mello Hello! – Eddie Boyd In Finland ” in 2005) and organized several Boyd’s concerts and also named the artist an honorary member in the summer of 1993. In addition, FBS unveiled a commemorative plaque in May 2009 in the memory of Eddie Boyd in front of the home where the blues legend lived for a long time, in the Kallio part of the Helsinki city.
Eddie Boyd has appeared five times on the cover of the Finnish Blues News magazine published by FBS.This unique exhibition consists of 12 foamboards (60 cm x 130 cm) with 70 rare or unpublished pictures taken from Eddie’s family photo albums, sound recordings as well as small items essentially related to the artist’s career and life.
Contact Information
FBS / Blues News
PO Box 257
00531 Helsinki, Finland
President of FBS / Editor-in-chief of BN:
Maiju Lasola (+358 50 3564102 ) maiju59@hotmail.com
Finland’s entrant for European Blues Challenge EBC2021 nominated; Lumberjacks
Due to COVID-19 pandemic the European Blues Challenge EBC2020 in Holland’s Zaandam scheduled in 17 – 18 April 2020 has been cancelled.
The European Blues Challenge EBC2021 will be carried out in Chorzow, Poland, 25-27 March 2021. Finland’s participating band in the challenge will be The Lumberjacks, the band which was to perform in Zaandam last April. The EBC2021 will be for the very first time a 3-day event, with two semi-finals, on Thursday and Friday, and a grand final on the Saturday.
Finland’s EBC2021 entrant, Lumberjack after announcement of the result of the Finnish national competition!
Koronavirus-pandemian (COVID-19) vuoksi European Blues Challenge EBC2020 Hollannin Zaandamissa (17.-18.4.2020) jouduttiin perumaan.
European Blues Challenge EBC2021 kilpaillaan Puolan Chorzowissa, 25.-27.3.2021. Suomen edustaja on Lumberjacks-yhtye, jonka piti esiintyä Zaandamissa maaliskuussa. EBC2021 on ensimmäistä kertaa 3-päiväinen tapahtuma; kaksi semifinaalia Torstaina ja perjantaina ja finaali lauantaina.
Finnish Blues Society 50th Anniversary!
Finnish Blues Society (FBS) celebrates its 50th anniversary by arranging a series of roots music events throughout the year 2020, ranging from club events to bigger concerts, Sunday jams, workshops, material and photo exhibitions.
Newest issue of Blues News (BN) magazine out / Uusi Blues News (BN) -lehti ulkona
Blues News -lehden (BN) uusi 60-sivuinen numero (4/2020, #304) on nyt saatavilla.
Blues News -lehden (BN) uusi 76-sivuinen numero (3/2020, #303) on myös saatavilla
LUMBERJACKS PARTICIPATED IN JANUARY in the International Blues Challenge 2020 in Memphis!
The Lumberjacks were the representatives of the Finnish Blues Society, January 28 – February 1, in the 36th International Blues Challenge 2020.
The IBCs are held annually in Memphis, Tennessee, USA, the competition representatives from around the world are selected by the affliliate members of the International Blues Foundation. Each year a total of 200 plus bands and solo / duo acts from 25-30 countries take part in the happening. The organizer, Blues Foundation, describes the event as the world’s largest blues festival.
Lumberjacks is a bold mix of styles in the vein of roots music. One foot is nailed to blues but the other reaches for soul, funk, rock and even doo-wop. These forest men relies on their own strong compositions which reflect life’s ups and downs. That’s what the blues are all about! The well thought-out band sound involves all the musicians singing lead and backing vocals which is another forte of the band.
Lumberjacks
Urmas”Big Hand” Niemi: guitar & vocals
Miikka”Chef” Kivimäki: bass & vocals
Jarkko Salo: keyboards & vocals
Janne Käpylä: drums & vocals
More information about the 2020 representative band can be found here: http://lumberjacksband.com. For more information about the IBC event and participants, visit the Blues Foundation website at www.blues.org. At IBC, the Finnish Blues Society has previously been represented by Slim Butler & SlimCuts (2019), Pepe Ahlqvist Duo (2017), White Knuckles Trio (2016), Honey B. & T-Bones (2015), Black River Bluesman & Bad Mood Hudson (2014) ), Ismo Haavisto Band (2013), Micke & Lefty feat. Chef (2012) and Jo ‘Buddy & Down Home King III (2011).
Finland’s entrant for European Blues Challenge EBC2020 nominated; Lumberjacks
Finnish Blues Society / Blues News and Puistoblues has ended the search for Finland’s entrant for European Blues Challenge EBC2020. This was the fifth time when a live music competition was conducted to choose the act, who represents Finland in the European Blues Challenge EBC2020 (in Zaanstad, Netherland, 17.-18.4.2020). The competition was carried out in connection with Puistoblues Festival on 28th June 2019 at the music venue Krapin Paja, Tuusula near Järvenpää. Altogether 15 performers registered for the competition, and four of them played in the competition. The selection was made by the Finnish Active Members in the European Blues Union (EBU). And the winner is:
Lumberjack
Other selected bands for the competition were:
– Tina Bednoff & The Cocktailers
An independent jury of five members judged the acts based on the criteria used in the actual EBC competition.
See the Blues News web page (in Finnish) and Puistoblues web page.
Also see section National Blues Challenge.
Finland’s entrant for European Blues Challenge EBC2019 nominated; Jo’ Buddy & Down Home King III feat. Nieminen
Finnish Blues Society / Blues News and Puistoblues has ended the search for Finland’s entrant for European Blues Challenge EBC2019. This was the fifth time when a live music competition was conducted to choose the act, who represents Finland in the European Blues Challenge EBC2019 (in Azores Portugal, 4.-6.4.2019). The competition was carried out in connection with Puistoblues Festival on 28th June 2018 at Eikan Pub, Järvenpää. Altogether 18 performers registered for the competition, and four of them played in the competition. The selection was made by the Finnish Active Members in the European Blues Union (EBU). The selected bands were:
– Jo’ Buddy & Down Home King III feat. Nieminen (Finland’s Entrant for EBC2019)
– Fat Chance
– Petri Matero Group
– West Coast Blues
See the Blues News web page (in Finnish) and Puistoblues web page. Also see section National Blues Challenge.
An independent jury of five members judged the acts based on the criteria used in the actual EBC competition.
Finland’s entrant for European Blues Challenge EBC2018 nominated; Slim Butler & The SlimCuts
Finnish Blues Society / Blues News and Puistoblues has ended the search for Finland’s entrant for European Blues Challenge EBC2018. This was the fourth time when a live music competition was conducted to choose the act, who represents Finland in the European Blues Challenge EBC2018 (in Hell, Norway, 16.-17.3.2018). The competition was carried out in connection with Puistoblues Festival on 29th June 2017 at Scandic Hotel Järvenpää. Altogether 19 performers registered for the competition, and four of them played in the competition. The selection was made by the Finnish Active Members in the European Blues Union (EBU). The selected bands were:
– Slim Butler & The SlimCuts (Finland’s Entrant for EBC2018)
– Bloodshot Eyes
– Helge Tallqvist & Loose Screws
– Jo’ Buddy & Down Home King III feat. Nieminen
See the Blues News web page (in Finnish) and Puistoblues web page. Also see section National Blues Challenge.
Blues Festivals during Winter – Spring 2018…
In March::
- Saimaa Blues; Mikkeli, 29.3.-1.4.2018.
In April:
- Blues News, 50th Anniversary, Malmitalo, Helsinki, 13.-14.4.2018.
- Grand blues Festival, Lahti, Möysä, 14.4.2018.
Festivals section for more details…. to be updated…
Newest issue of Blues News (BN) magazine out / Uusi Blues News (BN) -lehti ulkona
Blues News -lehden (BN) uusi 68-sivuinen numero (1/2018, #289) on nyt saatavilla.
FINLAND’S BLUES NEWS MAGAZINE CELEBRATES ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY!
Finland’s Blues News (BN) magazine published in July 1968 for the first time by the Finnish Blues Society (FBS) has reached the half-century milestone. To celebrate this, FBS will arrange a series of roots music events throughout the year 2018, ranging from club events to bigger concerts, Sunday jams, workshops, material and photo exhibitions. See more details here: Blues News:
More information, see: bluesnews.fi – for the moment In Finnish only, sorry!
Honey B. Family, the winner of the 2017 Finnish Blues Challenge, represented Finland at the 7th European Blues Challenge in Horsens / Denmark on April 7 and 8, 2017. Their new album, Honey B. Family Sings and Plays (LP and CD formats together) was released on 31.3.2017 at Stompin´ 2017 festival concert at Restaurant Dubrovnik, Helsinki. The album was released by the Blue North Records and is available at the Finnish Blues Society’s web shop.
PEPE AHLQVIST – THE GRAND OLD MAN OF THE FINNISH BLUES!
Read the Blues News Magazine’s 60th anniversary interview of Pepe Ahlqvist in English.
PEPE AND JOEL AHLQVIST DUO, the FBS’s representatives in Memphis in 2017!
Finnish Blues Society (FBS) has chosen the representative to the International Blues Challenge (IBC2017), organized by the Blues Foundation in Memphis (USA) and held from 31th January to 4th February 2017. In the solo/duo series the representative is Pepe and Joel Ahlqvist Duo.
Pepe Ahlqvist (b. on July 4, 1956) is a personal singer-guitarist-harmonica player, a songwriter and an internationally known Finnish blues artist. During his over 40-year long career he has performed with many blues legends. He has released numerous albums and toured in the USA, Canada and Europe totalling over 6 000 gigs and concerts.
Nowadays Pepe Ahlqvist works as a solo artist ranging from acoustic gigs to big band concerts. He also performs as a duo with his son Joel (b. on June 13, 1997), who has studied music since childhood, and besides playing the blues guitar also makes his own rap and hip-hop music.
More information on Pepe Ahlqvist, click on www.pepeahlqvist.com, own music by Joel Ahlqvist is available at https://soundcloud.com/13g13.
Finnish Blues Challenge 2017 for European Blues Challenge EBC2017; Finland’s entrant nominated – Honey B. Family!
Finnish Blues Society / Blues News and Puistoblues has ended the search for Finland’s entrant for European Blues Challenge EBC2017. This was the third time when a live music competition will be conducted to choose the act, who represents Finland in the European Blues Challenge EBC2017 (in Horsens, Danmark, 5.-7.4.2017). The competition was carried out in connection with Puistoblues Festival on 30th June 2016 at Restaurant Blackpool in Järvenpää. Altogether 21 performers registered for the competition, and four of them will play in the competition. The selection was made by the Finnish Active Members in the European Blues Union (EBU). The selected bands wew:
– Emilia Sisco with Helge Tallqvist and His Band
– Honey B. Family (Finland’s Entrant for EBC2017)
– Jo’ Buddy & Down Home King III feat. Nieminen
– Lumberjacks
A jury of four members (Sami Ruokangas, Altti Uhlenius, Markus Nylander and Anders Lillsunde) judged the acts based on the criteria used in the actual EBC competition. The Finland’s entrant for the EBC2017 competition is Honey B. Family. The Finnish Blues Challenge for the EBC2017 competition was organised in cooperation with Finnish Blues Society / Blues News and Puistoblues Festival.
For more information, see section “National Blues Challenge (2017)”.
European Blues Challenge EBC2016: Finland’s entrant; Lena & The Slide Brothers!
Finnish Blues Society / Blues News and Puistoblues started the search for Finland’s entrant for European Blues Challenge EBC2016. Five bands participated in the Finland’s national challenge which was held on 25.6.2015 in connection with Puistoblues festival in the Blackpool restaurant. And the Finland’s entrant for the EBC2016 competition is Lena & The Slide Brothers. – see section “National Blues Challenge 2016“.
At the moment the band is looking forward to releasing the new album “The Road“, that will be out on April 8th 2016. The first single “The road you’re on” was introduced on March 11th. Check it out!
Lena & The Slide Brothers. Current line-up: Lena Lindroos – vocals, bass; Matti Kettunen – electric & acoustic guitars, mandolin, banjo, backing vocals; Ykä Putkinen – electric & acoustic guitars, backing vocals; Juha Litmanen – drums, percussion.
Lena & The Slide Brothers at the Finland’s national EBC2016 challenge. (photo: Maiju Lasola)
European Blues Challenge EBC2016: Suomen edustaja on Lena & The Slide Brothers (in Finnish)!
Finnish Blues Society / Blues News ja Puistoblues kuuluttivat kisaajia European Blues Challenge 2016 -kilpailun Suomen karsintaan. Viisi yhtyettä kisasi torstaina 25.6.2015 Järvenpäässä Puistobluesin yhteydessä Ravintola Blackpoolissa. Suomen eduistajaksi valikoitui Lena & The Slide Brothers – katso osiota “National Blues Challenge 2016“
FINNISH BLUES AWARDS 2016 HONORED THE MOST REMARKABLE ROOTS MUSICIANS OF 2015
Finnish blues musicians recognized their distinguished colleagues at the 2nd Annual Finnish Blues Awards gala event on January 16th, 2016 in Helsinki, Finland. At the event, which took place at the legendary Virgin Oil Co. Theater, the following artists were awarded:
– Lifetime award – Esa Kuloniemi.
– Artist / group of the year 2015 – Erja Lyytinen.
– Newcomer of the year 2015 – White Knuckles Trio.
– Song of the year 2015 – Micke Bjorklof & Blue Strip: ”Last Train To Memphis”.
Esa ”Blues Minister” Kuloniemi, whose multi-dimensional career both as a blues musician and radio deejay has spanned over 34 years, commented his award: ”Of course it feels good that my long input gets noticed. The fact that the prize came from my own people, ’bluesicians’ of Finland, makes me especially happy.”
The gala included many famous and respected Finnish blues bands and artists, like Lazy Moose, Honey B. Family, Micke, Lefty & Chef, Ina Forsman, Helge Tallqvist & Emilia Sisco, Wentus Blues Band, Doctor’s Order, Moontones, Petri Matero Group, Lumberjacks, Titty Bar Tim Blues Band and Robbie Hill Solo + DJ Butcher Pete. The event was hosted by Lauri Ankerman and Olavi Rytkönen.Thomas Ruf, the president for the European Blues Union (EBU), honored the occasion with his presence.
The award trophies were designed and made by jewel smith Mirka Loukimo of Jasmin Design.
The event was produced by Bluesland Productions Oy.For more information: Mr. Davide Floreno, Bluesland Productions Oy davide.floreno@bluesland.fi (Tel +358 45 672 8070).
White Knuckles Trio and Jay Kay & Bluesgang the FBS’s representatives in Memphis in 2016!
Finnish Blues Society (FBS) chose the representatives to the International Blues Challenge (IBC2016), organized by the Blues Foundation in Memphis (USA) and held from 26th to 30th January 2016. In the band series the representative was White Knuckles Trio comprising Mr. Knucklebone (voc, gtr), Yukka White (voc, dr) and Mr. “Misdemeanor” Hillside (kb). They made it to the semi finals, congratulations. In the ”Best Self-Produced CD” category the representative was the Jay Kay & Blues Gang’s album “From The Shadows” (label:. Blues Angels).
IBC2015 NEWS
2015 Keeping the Blues Alive Award honored to photographer Pertti Nurmi
The Blues Foundation will honor 15 individuals and organizations with its 2015 Keeping the Blues Alive Awards during a recognition luncheon Friday, January 23, 2015, in Memphis, Tennessee. Each year, The Blues Foundation presents the KBA Awards to individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to blues music. Pertti Nurmi has been heavily tied with the activities of the non-profit organization, Finnish Blues Society and its publication, the original Blues News magazine, since the early 1970s. Pertti’s Blues photography archive covering 40+ years is unique in Finland and of high appraisal even internationally. His exhibitions have toured all major Finnish Blues festivals and have also been on display in New York and Hollywood.
Finnish Blues Society was honored with the KBA award in 2010 for significant contributions to blues music. Here pictured in the recognition luncheon in Memphis are FBS representatives: Kari Kempas, Aimo Ollikainen, Pete Hoppula (chairman 2007-11) and Pertti Nurmi (right).
Self-Produced CD – Lazy Moose was FBS’s entrant
For thirty-four years, The Blues Foundation has celebrated and recognized established blues artists through the Blues Music Awards. For twenty-nine years, The Blues Foundation has encouraged future blues performers through the International Blues Challenge. The Best Self-Produced CD was established in 2005 to recognize excellence in independent Blues recordings.
Finnish Blues Society’s entrant – Lazy Moose, When Trouble Was Born
*****
Honey B & T-Bones heading for International Blues Challenge IBC2015
Finnish Blues Society’s representative in the International Blues Challenge (IBC2015) in Memphis, TN, on 20.1.-24.1.2015 will be Honey B & T-Bones. The band comprises Aija “Honey B.” Puurtinen (lead vocals), Esa Kuloniemi (guitar & vocals), Jaska Lukkarinen (drums) and Jaakko Kämäräinen (bass/vocals). See more at: www.hbtb.net and www.facebook.com/honeybtbones.
More info (in Finnish) at the Blues News web page.
Aija Puurtinen (photo: Pasi Rytkönen Photography)
EBC2015 NEWS:
European Blues Challenge EBC2015; Finland’s entrant nominated!
Finnish Blues Society / Blues News and Puistoblues started the search for Finland’s entrant for European Blues Challenge EBC2015. Five bands participated in the Finland’s national challenge which was held on 26.6.2014 in connection with Puistoblues festival in the Blackpool restaurant. And the Finland’s entrant for the EBC2015 competition is Micke Bjorklof and Blue Strip. See section National Blues Challenge (EBC2015).
European Blues Challenge EBC2015; Suomen edustaja valittu (in Finnish)!
Finnish Blues Society / Blues News ja Puistoblues kuuluttivat kisaajia European Blues Challenge 2015 -kilpailun Suomen karsintaan. Viisi yhtyettä kisasi torstaina 26.6.2014 Järvenpäässä Puistobluesin yhteydessä Ravintola Blackpoolissa. Suomen eduistajaksi valikoitui Micke Bjorklof (Björklöf) and Blue Strip. Katso osiota National Blues Challenge (EBC2015).
European Blues Challenge 2014, Finland’s entrant was Ina Forsman & Helge Tallqvist Band
Finland’s representative in the 4rd European Blues Challenge (EBC2014) in Riga Latvia on 11.-12.4.2014 was Ina Forsman & Helge Tallqvist Band. The band comprises Ina Forsman on vocals, Helge Tallqvist on diatonic & chromatic harmonica, Jonne Kulluvaara (guitar) Iiro Kautto (bass) Harri Ala-Kojola (drums). The band is really convincing in live performances and on record; they published this autumn their first album ‘Ina Forsman with Helge Tallqvist Band’ (Q Records, 2013), and in a short time they have managed to gather quite positive attention.
Also this year the selection process was a closed email voting organized by the Finnish Blues Society / Blues News magazine. The voting body was comprised of all Finnish EBU members and a number of domestic professionals and non-profit societies operating in the blues industry. The band in the EBC2014 was sponsored by the Finnish Blues Society / Blues News magazine.
…And the winner was A Contra Blues from Spain, the runner-up was Pristine from Norway, the third was David Migden & Ther Twisted Roots from UK, and the fourth was Finland’s Ina Forsman & Helge Tallqvist Band, only 1.2 points from the third position.
Ina Forsman with Helge Tallqvist Band – Webpage
The brand new music video by Ina Forsman & Helge Tallqvist Band ‘What Have I Done’ is found here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-2iELALK5o
International Blues Challenge IBC2014, Finland’s entrant was duo Black River Bluesman & Bad Mood Hudson
Finland’s representative in the International Blues Challenge (IBC2014) in Memphis, TN, on 21.1.-25.1.2014 was a raucous duo Black River Bluesman & Bad Mood Hudson. They were sponsored by the Finnish Blues Society, a Blues Foundation Affiliate. See more at:
http://www.bluesman.fi/
European Blues Challenge EBC 2013; Finland’s entrant was Honey B & T-Bones
Honey B & T-Bones: Esa Kuloniemi (guitar & vocal), Aija “Honey B.” Puurtinen (lead vocal & bass) and Jaska Lukkarinen (drums & vocal).
International Blues Challenge IBC 2013; Finland’s entrant was Ismo Haavisto Band
Ismo Haavisto Band: Ismo Haavisto (vocal, quitar, harmonica), Jonni Seppälä (quitar), Ville Kujala (bass) and Mikko Järvinen (drums)
Ismo Haavisto Band formed by Ismo Haavisto (vocal, quitar, harmonica), Jonni Seppälä (quitar), Ville Kujala (bass) and Mikko Järvinen (drums) traveled to Memphis TN as a Finnish entrant for the International Blues Challenge (IBC) organized by the Blues Foundation (29.1.-2.2.2013). The band was nominated by the Finnish Blues Society (Affiliate Member of Blues Foundation). – Ismo Haavisto is known as a great harpist, guitarist, singer and songwriter. He is a professional musician and has played with many well-known blues musicians like Kim Wilson, Lurrie Bell, Otis Grand, Bill Sims, Steve Guyger, Delta Highway, Jessie Mae Hemphill and Sharon Lewis. Ismo Haavisto has several groups in Finland and he is considered to be part of the “Finnish blues elite”. Internet: Ismo Haavisto Band. MySpace: Ismo Haavisto Band.
Finnish trio Micke & Lefty feat. Chef performed at International Blues Challenge (Feb 2012)
A Finnish trio Micke & Lefty feat. Chef travelled to Memphis TN as a Finnish entrant for the International Blues Challenge (IBC) organized by the Blues Foundation (1.-4.2.2012). The trio was nominated by the Finnish Blues Society (Affiliate Member). Check their playabouts in Memphis through Micke’s Facebook updates.