ARTICLE ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: JULY, 2024

The 2024 edition of Pori Jazz was as much about funky grooves and ’80s nostalgia as it was about showcasing some of the finest contemporary jazz originators on the southwestern coast in mid-July.

Fifty thousand music enthusiasts attended the festival’s ticketed concerts, which was not particularly high by their usual standards (a total of 79,500 attended the festival’s paid events last year). However, given their history of resilience during difficulties, it’s likely the organizers will overcome this in the future.

This year, we visited the festival with our cameras to capture sudden movements, moments, reactions to heart-swelling grooves, fun, and action ….

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Take a look; you may enjoy this.

American organist Cory Henry’s flair carried an undercurrent reminiscent of Herbie Hancock, with subtle licks nodding to “The Chameleon.” Then, he dove deep into a maze of soulful harmonies, his rapid-fire fingering over the keys crafted in the moment, perhaps inspired by the lady in the front row, whose sunhat-transparent-raincoat combo perfectly portrayed yin and yang. Photograph: TONY ÖHBERG/FINLAND TODAY
Henry’s vocals have what those in the music business call “a universal quality,” which is likely to please most ears. He is recognized for his skill in effortlessly traversing a broad spectrum of notes, from deep baritone to soaring tenor. Photograph: TONY ÖHBERG/FINLAND TODAY
Henry emphasizes the importance of authenticity and emotional expression in his work, which blends various genres, including gospel, jazz, funk, and soul. Photograph: J.T./FINLAND TODAY
Metallica’s classic album title receives an innovative redesign. Photograph: TONY ÖHBERG/FINLAND TODAY
Feeling the funk can look like this. Photograph: TONY ÖHBERG/FINLAND TODAY
Adi Oasis, a French-Caribbean singer, bassist and producer, was a delightful discovery when seeking a groove-driven performer who could draw you to the stage with the sheer power of rhythm. Photograph: TONY ÖHBERG/FINLAND TODAY
Rough rhythms. Tough poses. Photograph: TONY ÖHBERG/FINLAND TODAY
A sudden burst of rain made the crowd quickly put on their raincoats. Photograph: TONY ÖHBERG/FINLAND TODAY
If no raincoat is available, a splash of creativity goes a long way. Photograph: TONY ÖHBERG/FINLAND TODAY
Deep listening. Photograph: TONY ÖHBERG/FINLAND TODAY
British saxophonist Nubya Garcia captivated the audience during her second visit to the Pori Jazz Festival. Her sound was mature and poignant, with her sax tone serving as the game changer … tender yet strong. Garcia also possesses a fine ear for beautiful melodies. Her music ranks among the best in contemporary jazz today. Photograph: TONY ÖHBERG/FINLAND TODAY
The audience at Lokkilava ‘Seagull Stage’ was fortunate to be among the first to hear some of the new material from Garcia’s upcoming album ‘Odyssey’. Photograph: TONY ÖHBERG/FINLAND TODAY
Vibing: Part 1. Photograph: J.T./FINLAND TODAY
Vibing: Part 2. Photograph: J.T./FINLAND TODAY
Vibing: Part 3. Photograph: J.T./FINLAND TODAY
Kraftwerk is a pioneering electronic music band from Germany, formed in 1970. They took the main stage on Friday. Widely regarded as one of the most influential groups in electronic music, they have significantly impacted various genres, including pop, rap and techno. Their innovative use of synthesizers, drum machines and vocoders set new standards for music production. This black frame illustrates the artists’ request for no photos.

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