January is a dark month and statistically the coldest period of the year in Finland. These natural forces have driven the conductor of the first lunch concert of the year, Ville Vannemaa, to choose music compatible to the harsh conditions of northern winter: biting frosts, endless darkness and sparkling northern lights. In this concert the merciless arctic winter manifests itself in the Nordic jazz of UMO.

All composers of the Nordic jazz scene see the northern lights in their own ways. The orchestra plays music from Palle Mikkelborg, Jarmo Savolainen, Jan Allan, Kari Komppa and others. The soloists of the compositions play considerably important roles and the virtuoso players of UMO have lots of room for solos.

Nordic jazz, as well as the Nordic in general, has lately attracted more and more attention all over the world. In the strictest sense of the concept, Nordic jazz is a style of music played by Nordic musicians. The austere climate is etched on the melody and harmony of the Nordic jazz.

In the Northern Lights lunch concert the audience will hear how the northern lights, freezing temperatures and darkness sound like.

The conductor of the concert is Ville Vannemaa.

Production: UMO Jazz Orchestra, Savoy Theatre, and restaurant Presto.