Audience safety at the concerts >>

‼️ Monday 13th December at Kulttuuritalo Helsinki and Wednesday 15th December at Paviljonki Jyväskylä: We will check the Covid certificate and ID of each guest at the entrance. Without an acceptable Covid certificate, it’s not possible to enter the concert. Please have both documents ready at the door, so that the entrance goes smoothly. You can present the Covid certificate either on the phone screen or on paper. More information about the Covid certificate: https://www.kanta.fi/en/covid-19-certificate

Welcome to a unique concert with two Finnish professional big bands! For the first time ever, the UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra and The Finnish Air Force Big Band will join forces on the stage, together with the singers Antti Koivula and Elena Mindru as soloists. One big band is already big, two big bands are bigger still!

The concert program contains well known Christmas songs from Finland and abroad in arrangements for big band. The Finnish Air Force Big Band and Antti Koivula plays upbeat pop and rock Christmas songs by artists like Brian Setzer, EWF and James Brown. Elena Mindru, who debuts as soloist with the UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra, performs American Christmas songs in the swing and jazz traditions, as made famous by Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra among others. Finland’s two leading big bands also perform together in this Christmas show that’s unlike anything else we’ve seen before!

UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra is conducted by Ed Partyka, Jaakko Nurila leads The Finnish Air Force Big Band.

Antti Koivula (b. 1982) is the soloist of My First Band which has been touring with Sunrise Avenue around the world. He is also one of the soloists of Finnish Dancing With the Stars competition. The strong entertainer is at home at the Presidential Palace Independence Reception as well as with Frank Zappa’s music, pop, art music or rhythm’n blues.

Elena Mindru (b. 1988) is one of the best Finnish jazz singers. Known for her charismatic performances and improvisations, Mindru regularly performs as a soloist with large orchestras in both her home countries, Finland and Romania, among other countries. She has published four jazz albums under her own name, the latest Hope in 2021. Mindru has also gained recognition as a composer and has written several works for big band, symphony orchestra and smaller ensembles. www.elenamindru.com

UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra is the only professional orchestra in Finland specialised in jazz and new rhythm-oriented music. The big band of 16 musicians plays about 100 concerts every year in Finland and abroad. The orchestra plays a diverse range of modern music that is on the pulse of the times. The programme consists from jazz to soul and classical music, mixing old and new in surprising way, from children to senior citizens.  

The Finnish Air Force Big Band (Ilmavoimien soittokunta) is the only military band in Finland specialising in pop music. The band is known for its fast-paced performances with leading Finnish soloists. In addition to military functions, big band concerts in the AALTO series and the Armed Forces Summer Tour, the Finnish Air Force Big Band also works in churches and with music education projects. The Finnish Air Force Big Band was founded in 1977, is located in Tikkakoski in Jyväskylä and has a long tradition of performances of music for big band. www.ilmavoimiensoittokunta.fi

Artwork: Christer Nuutinen