Club for Five and the Finnish Air Force Big Band: Pave!

The music of Pave Maijanen lives and breathes in a new light in this unique joint concert by Club For Five and the Finnish Air Force Big Band. Iconic songs such as “Lähtisitkö,” “Jano” and “Elämän nälkä” take on a fresh new form as the vocal group and big band join forces. Big band arrangements give Pave’s well-known songs a new dimension, bringing them depth, rich dynamics and rhythmic power. At the same time, the vocal group’s delicate tones and virtuoso skill bring the nuances of the music to life. Pave! is a heartfelt tribute to a master whose contribution to Finnish music is invaluable. Through their expressive performances, the Finnish Air Force Big Band and Club For Five create moving and joyful interpretations of familiar songs that have remained in Finnish people’s hearts over the years.

Chief conductor Major (Music) Ville Paakkunainen has served, among other roles, as conductor of the Guards Band and chief conductor of the Finnish Defence Forces Conscript Band and Lapland Military Band. In addition to conducting Finnish Defence Forces orchestras, he has conducted, among others, the Academic Wind Orchestra, Lahti Symphonic Band and orchestras of Tampere Conservatory, and has given guest concerts. Paakkunainen has also worked as a clarinettist and clarinet teacher, trained wind orchestras, and taught wind orchestra conducting, including at the Military Music School. He has served as chief conductor of the Finnish Air Force Big Band since 2023.

Club For Five is Finland’s most popular a cappella group. Active since 2000, the vocal group has become known both in Finland and internationally. “Club’s” music is not limited to any one genre—the group is equally at home with jazz, pop and rock as with folk or classical music. This virtuoso quintet (Maija Sariola – soprano, Saima Haapanen – alto, Jouni Kannisto – tenor, Juha Viitala – baritone and Tuukka Haapaniemi – bass) has released 13 studio albums, six of which have gone gold. Club For Five’s performances are full of moving interpretation, perceptive humour, assured skill and captivating solo performances.

The Finnish Air Force Big Band is Finland’s only band specialising in popular music, known for its high-energy performances with leading Finnish soloists. It consists of 21 members. In addition to the AALTO series of big band concerts and the Finnish Defence Forces’ MILjazz tour, its concert season includes music education projects, national defence events and public relations work for the Finnish Air Force. Based at the Tikkakoski garrison in Jyväskylä, the Finnish Air Force Band was founded in 1977 and has a long tradition of performing big band music.

The concert is expected to last two hours, including an interval.

Organised by: Finnish Air Force Band
Tickets: €39.50 / €26.50 for students, pensioners, unemployed people and conscripts / €19.75 for children aged 3–12.