Our popular Summer Jazz Series returns to Scandinavia House! This summer we’re presenting performances from some of Scandinavia’s most talented young jazz musicians, composers, and singers on Thursday evenings in June and July.  On June 8, Kaisa’s Machine, led by the talented Finnish jazz double-bass player and ASF Fellow Kaisa Mäensivu, joins us for a pre-album release show of Taking Shape, which will be officially released via Dave Douglas’ Greenleaf Music on July 7.

Formed by Mäensivu in 2015, Kaisa’s Machine have performed in many prestigious venues and festivals including Ronnie Scott’s in London, the Smalls Jazz Club in New York, and the Pori Jazz Festival in Finland. 

Their music aims for relatability in its pureness — whether it’s bouncy and groovy and celebrating with you, or inviting you to wonder at the mysteries and tragedies of life.

Nordic noir meets New York sparkle with their sophomore album Taking Shape, which will kick off a North American tour following its launch in July. 

Musicians include Troy Roberts (sax), Max Light (guitar), Eden Ladin (piano), Kaisa Mäensivu (bass), and Joe Peri (drums).

Kaisa’s Machine was founded in Helsinki in 2015 by Kaisa Mäensivu, following her first year of studies at the Manhattan School of Music in New York. The band released its debut album “In the Key of K” via Eclipse Music in December 2017, and it has since received high acclaim in the Finnish jazz scene.

Kaisa Mäensivu is an award-winning jazz bassist currently based in New York. She plays with a variety of groups in Europe and in the U.S. Kaisa’s Machine is her main project as a leading musician.

Kaisa’s Machine at Small’s Jazz Club, June 2022: