UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra: great achievements and mastery in jazz since 1975! Throughout the decades, UMO has been at the forefront of Finnish jazz. This multi-award-winning ensemble – recipient of the Yrjö and Emma awards and a Grammy nominee – has shared the stage with international jazz legends as well as the brightest stars of the Finnish music scene. With a distinguished discography of over 60 albums, Helsinki’s own “jazz city orchestra” performs across Finland, reaching 35,000 listeners through more than 100 concerts annually. At the heart of UMO is a commitment to new music. The orchestra’s versatile repertoire fearlessly pushes boundaries, from jazz and soulful grooves to classical fusion.
More information and photos for press here.
Teemu Mattsson
1. trumpet, section leader
Member of UMO since 2005
Mikko Pettinen
3. trumpet
Member of UMO since 1998
Tero Saarti
4. trumpet
Member of UMO since 1993
Mikko Mustonen
2. trombone
Member of UMO since 1993
Kasperi Sarikoski
1. trombone, section leader
Member of UMO since 2019
Pekka Laukkanen
3. trombone
Member of UMO since 1993
Olli Ojajärvi
2. tenor saxophone
Member of UMO since 2000
Manuel Dunkel
2. tenor saxophone
Member of UMO since 1994
Max Zenger
2. alto saxophone
Member of UMO since 2023
Jouni Järvelä
1. alto saxophone, section leader
Member of UMO since 1995
Mikko Mäkinen
Baritone saxophone
Member of UMO since 1994
Markus Ketola
Drums
Member of UMO since 1993
Kirmo Lintinen
Keyboards
Member of UMO since 1988
Ville Vannemaa
Chief conductor 2026-2029
Michael Mayo
Artist-in-residence 2026-2028
Bianca Rantala
Composer-in-residence 2026-2027