The Jazz Summer Ends with Åland Sea Jazz, August 15–17

8.8.2025

Åland Sea Jazz celebrates its fifth anniversary by bringing top jazz names from the Nordic countries and the USA to Åland. For three days, Mariehamn will be filled with high-quality music, a warm community spirit, and a unique seaside atmosphere.

On Friday, August 15, American-Swedish soul and gospel singer LaGaylia Frazier takes over Alandica’s main hall together with the Helsinki Police Orchestra, a professional orchestra active since 1947. LaGaylia is known in Sweden from Rhapsody in Rock, Melodifestivalen, and as a judge on Talent – her stage presence and energy lift audiences off their seats. The evening continues with an open and free jam session at Hotel Arkipelag, featuring a house band including trumpeter Fredrik Erlandsson and double bassist Kjell Dahl.

Saturday, August 16, begins in the Maritime Quarter Chapel with Åland-based duo Interplay – Jochum Juslin (guitar) and Curt Quarnström (double bass) – performing music by Pat Metheny, Bill Evans, Jukka Tolonen, and more. In the evening, Alandica’s foyer hosts a double concert with one ticket valid for both: at 7 p.m., versatile vocalist Emma Salokoski performs with guitarist Jarmo Saari, followed at 8:30 p.m. by the quintet Fredrik Erlandsson New York Nordic, where American 1950s–60s jazz meets Nordic tones. The group also features saxophonist Manuel Dunkel, pianist Vladimir Shafranov, bassist Kenji Rabson, and drummer Jacob Melchior. The night ends with another jam session at Arkipelag.

Throughout jazz history, the music has been performed in both sinful and sacred settings. On Sunday, August 17, the festival concludes with a unique jazz service at St. Olof’s Church in Jomala, where all music – including hymns – is given jazz arrangements by Anna Rydén (vocals), Fredrik Erlandsson (piano and trumpet), and Kjell Dahl (double bass). The service will be led by Pastor Laura Serell. Admission is free.

Tickets (Friday): alandica.ax
Tickets (Saturday): tiketti.fi
Program: alandseajazz.fi

Welcome to a late-summer jazz weekend in the heart of the archipelago!