MIL-Espa – Finnish Air Force Big Band & Sami Pitkämö – Tribute to Ray Charles

The Finnish Air Force Big Band and Sami Pitkämö will play a broad selection of Ray Charles’s music at the MIL-Espa concert.

Ray Charles (Ray Charles Robinson, 1930–2004) was one of the most significant precursors and early pioneers of soul music.

Soul music developed at the turn of the 60s as a combination of gospel music and rhythm ’n blues. The influence of these genres can be heard in many of Ray’s famous hits, such as Hit the Road, Jack; I’ve Got a Woman and Hallelujah, I Love Her So.

Sami Pitkämö is known as a versatile interpreter of rhythm music. He is also the producer, arranger and bandleader of MTV’s Tanssii tähtien kanssa (Dancing with the Stars) TV series. Sami has been listening to Ray Charles since childhood.

MIL-Espa park concerts have been held in the Esplanade Park since 1927. On summer Fridays, the Espa Stage will host various military band ensembles from around Finland. The programme includes live performances in many genres of music.

MIL-Espa park concerts on summer Fridays in 2024 on 24 May, 31 May, 7 June, 14 June, 28 June, 5 July, 12 July, 19 July, 26 July and 16 August on the Espa Stage.