Ina Forsman: Motown Christmas

The grooviest concert of December is back. Have you ever wondered what your favourite Christmas songs would sound like had they been recorded in Motown studios during the golden age of soul music? This is what Ina Forsman and her band have set out to explore, and we get to enjoy the result on Thursday 17 December. The concert, which has been praised by audiences, is performed this year by an eight-piece band. The programme features soulful Christmas songs from the worlds of soul, blues, funk and jazz, as well as nostalgic classics, all completely rearranged. Ina Forsman has been making an international career for over a decade and has established herself on the European soul and blues scene. Motown Christmas is a project that is particularly close to her heart, one that she hopes to take around the world in the future. “This concert is for lovers of good, soulful and groovy music,” says Ina. “Even people who don’t usually care for Christmas music can enjoy this. We put our own unique spin on the classics, and we also have some rarer gems in the mix. Oh, and the band is absolutely brilliant; bring your whole family and get dancing!” The concert features songs by artists such as Stevie Wonder, The Jackson 5, Nina Simone, Marvin Gaye, Earth, Wind & Fire and many others. The Motown Christmas band: Ina Forsman – vocals Johannes Salomaa – tenor saxophone, arrangement Janne Toivonen – trumpet Teppo Mäkynen – drums Matias Ärrälä – bass Valtteri Nurmiranta – guitar Samuli Rautiainen – keyboards Vilja Hirvelä – backing vocals Elsa Ryökkynen – backing vocals Duration: 2 h, incl. 20 min intermission