Mikko Innanen / Kirke Karja / Antti Lötjönen / Christian Lillinger – leading figures of European contemporary jazz meet

Saxophonist Mikko Innanen and bassist Antti Lötjönen invited Estonian pianist Kirke Karja and German drummer Christian Lillinger to perform together for the first time in their Hietsu is Happening! concert series in December 2024. The quartet’s initial encounter proved exceptionally fruitful: the chemistry was immediate, the music felt open and alive, and the concert left all four musicians with a strong sense that this collaboration should continue.

At April Jazz, the audience will hear how the quartet’s music has evolved since that first meeting — and where it is heading next. The programme consists of original compositions and free improvisation, but the boundary between the two is intentionally left fluid. Where does composition end and improvisation begin? And what does European contemporary jazz sound like in 2026?

Each member of the quartet represents a distinctive and influential voice within today’s European jazz scene. Mikko Innanen is one of the most personal and uncompromising saxophonists and composers in Finnish contemporary jazz, known for his intensity, freedom of expression, and unmistakable artistic voice. Antti Lötjönen is an internationally respected bassist, familiar from ensembles such as the Aki Rissanen Trio and Timo Lassy Trio, as well as numerous high-profile European projects. Kirke Karja is among the most compelling pianists and composers of the Estonian jazz scene, whose music combines rhythmic power, open forms, and bold harmonic thinking. Christian Lillinger belongs to the core figures of European contemporary jazz drumming, known for his extreme energy and his ability to push the boundaries of jazz rhythm into new territory.

In this concert, four strong artistic personalities meet as equals — without hierarchy, open to risk and to the moment. The result is an intense, unpredictable, and vividly present musical conversation, where anything can happen.

Mikko Innanen, saxophones

Kirke Karja, piano (EE)

Antti Lötjönen, double bass

Christian Lillinger, drums (DE)

Concert timetable

5:30 pm doors

6:00 pm Ebeli in Concert

7:15 pm intermission

7:45 pm Innanen / Karja / Lötjönen / Lillinger

Ebeli in Concert

The talented young musicians from the pop/jazz department of Espoo Music Institute, Ebeli, takethe stage at April Jazz. The concert features a diverse program performed by Ebeli’s bands, soloists, and vocal ensembles, offering a vibrant snapshot of the next generation of jazz and popular music talent. The evening also offers a sneak peek into Ebeli’s upcoming 30th anniversary celebrations!