Pori Jazz

Pori Jazz is a large international jazz festival held annually in July in the Finnish coastal city of Pori (population 82,809 in January 2010). It is one of Europe's oldest and most well-known jazz festivals, having been held every year since 1966.

In July 1966, 1500 people attended the first Pori Jazz Festival, which lasted two days on the island of Kirjurinluoto. Audiences grew year after year, and the festival's duration was extended. It was established as a four-day event between 1975 and 1984. Since 1985, the festival has lasted nine days and drawn crowds ranging from 50,000 to 60,000 people. In the early 1990s, the festival attracted 100,000 visitors, and in the twenty-first century, approximately 120,000–160,000 people attend each summer. Pori Jazz celebrated its 49th anniversary in 2014 and is already planning its 50th in 2015. Pori Jazz Festival is currently Finland's largest, most well-known, and most popular summer event.

The first festival focused on acoustic jazz, but it gradually expanded to include electric jazz and other rhythm music, blues, soul, funk, hip-hop, and the rich Cuban and Brazilian music. Pori Jazz now features a diverse roster of the world's leading artists, ranging from long-established figures to rising stars. Approximately 70% of the program is free to attend.

Pori Jazz has held the top spot among Finnish and international festivals for over 45 years. The festival atmosphere, in particular, created by the music, people, fine services, and one-of-a-kind setting, is second to none and highly regarded by visitors. The festival has evolved into an experience that visitors want to relive every summer. During the festival's nine days, there are over 100 concerts in 11 different venues. There is also a Pori Jazz Kids Festival for children. Pori Jazz Festival's 49th edition took place from July 12 to July 20, 2014.

Kirjurinluoto Arena, the main venue, is Finland's only open-air concert park dedicated solely to concerts and other events. The arena is 5 hectares (12 acres) in size for amphitheater-style concerts and 22 hectares (54 acres) in size for camping. In addition to the main venue, which requires a festival ticket to enter, there is a "Jazz street" in Pori's center, along the Kokemäenjoki river, which hosts smaller music events and clubs, as well as street food restaurants and bars. The outdoor music events on "Jazz Street" are free, but events held in clubs may have an admission fee.

Tori Amos, Kylie Minogue, Art Blakey, James Brown, Phil Collins, Chick Corea, Miles Davis, Alicia Keys, Paul Simon, Jamiroquai, Macy Gray, Mary J. Blige, Erykah Badu, Paul Anka, Kanye West, Sting, and other world-famous musicians have performed at the festival over the years, as have lesser-known groups from Finland and elsewhere. Pori Jazz covers a wide range of musical genres, including jazz, blues, soul, funk, hip hop, Afro-Cuban, world music, and even some pop music.

Takes place: mid-July