During Umeå Jazz Festival 2024, Maja Korpi and Gustav Skoogh open the doors to a new music experience - Umeå Jazz Kissa.

Inspired by the Japanese "Jazz kissas," where high-quality sound systems and carefully selected records take centre stage, they invite you to a unique listening room at the Ögonblicksteatern on 26 October.

It's a deliberate move to attract more people to the world of jazz while offering something completely new to Umeå. We are creating a welcoming listening space for well-curated music and playing it through an incredible sound system," says Gustav Skoogh, who is a DJ, jazz club organiser and the name behind the design studio Sirka.

With the support of Lasse's HiFi, which provides an exclusive sound system, and the Bodegan restaurant, which offers a pop-up wine bar, an atmosphere is created where music and sound quality are in focus.

"We hope to attract both jazz veterans and curious music lovers. We think it will be a special experience," adds Gustav.

The event is part of the official programme of the Umeå Jazz Festival and has free admission, but places are limited. The doors to Ögonblicksteatern will open at 16:00.

Follow the initiative via their new Instagram account

WHEN: 26 Oct at 16:00-00:00
VAR: Ögonblicksteatern, Västra Strandgatan 7B

The event has an 18-year age limit.

Inspired by Japan
Umeå Jazz Kissa takes its name from the Japanese word "Jazz kissa" or "Jazz kissaken", which basically means "jazz café". Known for their extensive record collections and dedicated sound systems, these cafés have existed in Japan since the 1920s. They have attracted tourists from all over the world and inspired the wave of modern listening bars and lounges that have popped up around the world in recent years.