Have some jazz for lunch!

In the first lunch concert of the season UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra will go back to the basics of big band music, limelighting the brilliance of Buddy Rich Big Band. The concert will see the Yrjö- and Emma-winning Markus Ketola sit behind the drumkit as the Buddy Rich of UMO Helsinki. Ketola has played the drums for the orchestra since 1993. Antti Rissanen who also has a long history in leading UMO Helsinki will take the conductor’s podium. Ready yourself for such classics as Straight No Chaser, Love For Saleand, the title number, Big Swing Face.

American Bernard “Buddy” Rich (1917–1987) has been considered the finest drummer in the world, acclaimed particularly for his virtuoso technique, whirlwind-like speed and snappy touch on the snare drum. According to a legend Rich only played when he was performing. Then again, if you take up your instrument at the age of 18 months – as he is told to have done – why would you waste time practising? Known as a worldly showman and a funny personality, Rich could also be an extremely critical and demanding musician and band leader who would not accept mediocrity. During his career he collaborated with virtually every superstar of jazz, including Dizzy Gillespie, Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington and Frank Sinatra.

Rich led an eponymous big band and in its ranks in the early 1980s played the Finnish trumpeter Simo Salminen (1956–2014). At the time Salminen’s recruitment to the orchestra was a sensation, as he was the first Finn ever to get a permanent position in an orchestra of such standard in the United States, the motherland of jazz. For the couple of years that he belonged to the big band Salminen had an important role in it, ultimately becoming its lead trumpeter. He was also a significant presence in UMO Helsinki for twenty or so years.

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 (0,5 € + 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.

Lunch is served at the Restaurant Presto before and after the concert, prices from 10.40 €

Production: UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra, Savoy Theatre & Restaurant Presto

Photo: Buddy Rich, Heritage Image / Lehtikuva