In the Musica nova Helsinki 2019 festival, UMO will be treating the audience to a robust set of Frank Zappa’s orchestral works in Ed Palermo’s arrangements. Comprising of Zappa’s instrumental classics, the concert menu will include such pieces as King Kong and Peaches en Regalia, plus three completely new Zappa renditions, written specifically for this concert, by young and aspiring Finnish arrangers Sampo Kasurinen, Artturi Rönkä and Ville Vannemaa. The G Livelab’s concert will be conducted by Valtteri Laurell Pöyhönen.

Frank Zappa (1940–1993, USA) was a quirky pop music original, versatile and talented musician, composer, guitarist, vocalist, song-writer and band leader whose undeniable musical genius is manifested in his numerous albums, satirical writings and knack for orchestrating music for a wide variety of groups.

UMO Jazz Orchestra 
Valtteri Laurell Pöyhönen, conductor
Jere Haakana, guitar (in the picture)

Musica nova Helsinki is Finland’s largest contemporary music festival. Held biennially, it presents the very latest music, composers now making their mark internationally, and contemporary classics. The next Musica nova Helsinki is held on February 2019. www.musicanova.fi

Photo: Hannu Mattila