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For over twenty years, UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra has played a special Silent Music concert at Easter. These concerts in Holy Week have already become a well-liked tradition among the jazz-digging citizens.

UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra premieres two commissioned pieces from young composers Ilkka Hammo and Sampo Kasurinen, featuring two soloists: jazz singer Kadi Vija and trombonist Kasperi Sarikoski.

Ilkka Hammo won the grant of Church Music Composers’ Association and UMO in 2020 and composed the new work Silent Crossings for UMO’s big band.

Sampo Kasurinen’s commissioned piece Three Visions for trombone and big band will also be premiered. The soloist is UMO’s lead trombonist Kasperi Sarikoski.

In addition to the instrumental compositions to be premiered, jazz singer and improviser Kadi Vija will join the orchestra in couple of vocal pieces.

Kadi Vija (b. 1985) is a gifted young vocalist in the spheres of jazz and improvised music. Her unique approach to singing and expressing with her voice bases on instrumental jazz, unrestrained association and abstract art. She weaves stories by means of melodies, ideas and tones of voice. www.kadivija.com

Kasperi Sarikoski (b. 1988) first appeared as UMO Helsinki’s soloist when he was only 16. Since then he has regularly collaborated with the big band and was appointed its lead trombonist in 2019. Sarikoski studied at the Sibelius Academy, Helsinki, graduating with his Master’s Degree in 2013. He also studied at the Jazz Department of the Conservatoire de Paris and pursued postgraduate studies at the Juilliard School in New York. He leads his own group Kasperi Sarikoski & Nuance and works as a composer. www.kasperisarikoski.com

Ilkka Hammo (b. 1983) is a versatile composer, active guitarist and guitar teacher. His compositions consist mainly of instrumental music for soloists, chamber ensembles and orchestras of various sizes. His lengthy experience as an instrumentalist has a large effect on his compositions, as well as the other way around. Hammo is always looking for new areas in instrumental capacities based on both traditional and extended playing techniques. www.ilkkahammo.com

Sampo Kasurinen (b. 1990) is a composer, arranger and saxophonist. He has studied at the Sibelius Academy’s jazz department with his teachers Veli-Matti Puumala, Matthew Whittall, John Hollenbeck and Kaija Saariaho. Kasurinen’s compositions and arrangements have been performed by e.g. Trondheim Symphony Orchestra, UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra, The Finnish Guards Band and Vantaa Orchestra. As a saxophonist, he is best known for the band AR Quartet. www.sampokasurinen.fi

Kadi Vija’s photo: Perttu Saksa