How about some jazz for lunch?

UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra and Savoy Theatre Helsinki continue their popular lunch concert series! During the spring season 2020, the concert series will return with new editions on Tuesdays 11 Feb, 10 Mar and 31 Mar.

UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra tackles the music of its new Artistic Director and Chief Conductor, Ed Partyka, for the first time in this concert series! The programme will focus on Partyka’s newest albums Kopfkino and In The Tradition, which he has recorded with his own group, Ed Partyka Jazz Orchestra.

Trombonist, composer, arranger and conductor Ed Partyka (b. 1967) was born in the United States but removed to Europe almost 30 years ago. Today based in Austria, he acts as UMO Helsinki’s Artistic Director and Chief Conductor in 2020–2021. He has collaborated with a number of renowned European big bands, including the German hr-Bigband and NDR Bigband and worked as a guest conductor, artistic planner and arranger for the Vienna Jazz Orchestra and Zurich Jazz Orchestra. Besides leading his own group, the Ed Partyka Jazz Orchestra, Partyka has collaborated with the likes of Bob Brookmeyer, Carla Bley, Robben Ford and even the Finnish pop-rock group Sunrise Avenue. He is the department chairman of the Jazz Institute at the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz and teaches composition in the University of Applied Sciences and Arts in Lucerne, Switzerland. Partyka is known as a first-class orchestra leader and expert on orchestral musicianship.

”Ed Partyka’s imagination and skills range far across the expectations of customary big band arrangements. Where others would write flatly, he combines with a fine sense strong rhythms, voluminous wind instruments, precise breaks and tender interludes with complex voice leading.” Werner Stiefele, Journalist

”Two most recent albums reflect a distinct musical personality and, often, his relaxed and refreshing approach to serious music.” Artsjournal.com

Please note! The concert will be held in the Savoy Theatre at 12-13. The admission is free but it is recommendable to book a ticket in advance at the Savoy Theatre box office (0 €) or Lippupiste (1 € commission). Pre-tickets admit the audience until 11:50am, after which the remaining seats will be given to customers without a pre-booking. Please arrive early for the doors will be closed once the concert has started.

Production: UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra & Savoy Theatre