American jazz singer and songwriter China Moses, who made her first visit to UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra in November 2020, will return to Finland in spring 2023! The concerts at G Livelab Tampere, Sellosali in Espoo and new Dance House Helsinki are part of UMO’s Great Voices series, dedicated to stellar vocalists from around the world.

Note! Deeper into the Show discussion event will be organised on Saturday at 6:15 pm at Tanssin talo‘s lobby. The discussion event is free of charge for those who bought a concert ticket. Conductor Ed Partyka will discuss the theme and background of the concert and answer the audience’s questions in English. The aim of the event is to offer the listeners a more in-depth concert experience.

The repertoire of the concerts is compiled from the forgotten and unforgettable gems of vocal jazz, as well as China Moses’ own compositions with brand new big band arrangements. You can expect music also from e.g. The Beatles, Eric Clapton, Millie Jackson and Bill Withers. The concerts will be conducted by UMO’s chief conductor and artistic director Ed Partyka, who will also arrange the majority of the renewed repertoire. Expect a wide range of moods and genres from jazz to blues, swing to funk and melancholic ballads to explosive energy!

Having won over audiences around the world, this power woman takes jazz to a new era and creates her own standards. A winning performer, China Moses (b. 1978) approaches jazz in her compelling, unconventional and eclectic way. She is an original songwriter who has inherited her exceptional brilliance from her mother, the celebrated Dee Dee Bridgewater. So far, Moses has issued six solo albums – the first of which came out when she was only 17 – and appeared on dozens of recordings as a sidewoman. She has also tackled the Great American Songbook during her career, paying homage to defining jazz and blues voices who have inspired her, including Dinah Washington, Nina Simone and Etta James. In addition to her career as a musician, the versatile artist has appeared on silver screen and worked as a TV and radio host.

“China Moses has an incisive voice, powerful swing and a high voltage personality.” London Evening Standard

“A new star has entered the Jazz firmament.” All About Jazz

Photo: Sylvain Norget