The Argentinian-born pianist, composer and band leader Guillermo Klein will join UMO for two concerts in mid-November. Nine years has passed since his last visit in UMO’s ranks, and that time he convinced both the critical and the general audience:
“Klein’s visit proved that big band music does not have to follow the tradition to the point. It would be great to see more nonconformists like him fronting UMO in the future.” – Jazzrytmit 10/2009

Guillermo Klein is known as a many-sided musician who incorporates influences from around the globe into his music. Born in Buenos Aires, trained in the United States and based in New York today,  he is a worldly jazz figure who winks at cultural pigeonholing. The classically trained Klein’s repertory has been described as a unique mix of modern jazz, classical music, Latin American folk music and rock, and he also names Argentinian tango as one of his influences. In his hands, these styles translate into colourful orchestrations, strong dynamic variation, polyrhythms and quirky syncopes. Over his career, he has collaborated with the likes of Seamus Blake, Joshua Redman and various big bands, such as hr-Bigband and the Metropole Orchestra. He has released numerous albums with his own groups Big Van and Los Guachos. 

– I will bring some new original material for UMO to play this November. The audience will be in for a robust concoction of traditional jazz, Latin rhythms and classical music seasoned with a whole rainbow of colours and emotions, says Kein, who will sing, play the piano and lead UMO in the concert. 

– During my last visit, I felt a strong affinity with the UMO musicians and I’m looking forward to the upcoming visit very much! Come and check the gig out; you won’t be disappointed, he promises.