En Vogue to Perform at Pori Jazz

The lineup for Pori Jazz’s main concerts is strengthened by four major additions: the iconic R&B vocal group En Vogue, jazz pianist Kenny Barron “Songbook” feat. Kiyoshi Kitagawa, Gregory Hutchinson & Ekep Nkwelle, American cellist‑composer Tomeka Reid with her quartet, and Finnish R&B trailblazer Karri Koira. With the additions of Tomeka Reid Quartet and Karri Koira, the main concert program for Friday, July 17, is now complete.

Performing at Kirjurinluoto on Thursday, July 16, the California‑based En Vogue is one of the most successful R&B vocal groups of all time. Their modern R&B draws inspiration from the soul and dance‑oriented pop of the 1960s and 70s. The group has sold over 20 million albums and rose to global fame with hits such as Hold On, Don’t Let Go (Love), and Free Your Mind. The lineup on stage will feature original members Terry Ellis, Cindy Herron, and Maxine Jones.

Also performing on Thursday, July 16, at Lokkilava is American pianist Kenny Barron, one of the most respected names in contemporary jazz. His extensive career includes collaborations with countless jazz legends from Dizzy Gillespie to Stan Getz—with the latter; Barron performed and recorded at Pori Jazz in 1987. The ensemble performing at Kirjurinluoto, named after the Songbook album, released in 2025, consists of Japanese‑American bassist Kiyoshi Kitagawa, American drummer Gregory Hutchinson, and Cameroonian‑American jazz vocalist Ekep Nkwelle.

Completing the main concert program for Friday, July 17, are Tomeka Reid Quartet and Karri Koira. American musician Tomeka Reid is a cellist, composer, curator, educator, and holds a doctorate in musicology from the University of Illinois. At Kirjurinluoto, audiences will hear the modern‑jazz‑focused Tomeka Reid Quartet, featuring guitarist Mary Halvorson, bassist Jason Roebke, and drummer Tomas Fujiwara. The quartet’s debut album was released in 2015, and their latest album, Dance! Skip! Hop!, came out earlier this year as their fourth release. Reid is also known as the founder and artistic director of the Chicago Jazz String Summit.

Finnish R&B and hip‑hop pioneer Karri Koira rose to prominence with his debut album K.O.I.R.A., regarded as a cornerstone of modern Finnish R&B. His music leans heavily on the American 1990s soul and R&B tradition while incorporating modern production and nostalgic funk elements. The artist returns to the stage after a long break with his new album Aina ja aina.

These new additions enrich Pori Jazz’s diverse program, spanning from soul and funk to modern R&B and jazz legends. The remaining main concert artists will be announced next week.