UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra presents a stellar vocalist at the Elojazz Festival!
UMO is joined by wonderful singer Cyrille Aimée (b. 1988), who is one of the most celebrated and followed jazz singers of her generation. Her music is a mixture of jazz, soul, pop and French chanson. The winner of the Montreux and Sarah Vaughan singing competitions and a two-time Grammy nominee charms with her skilful improvisation, phenomenal scat singing and soft voice. Aimée has been compared to Michael Jackson, Sarah Vaughan and Erykah Badu, but in the end she is her own, unique phenomenon. Also known as a Broadway actress, Aimée draws inspiration from her French-Dominican ancestry and her passionate relationship with Gypsy jazz.
Cyrille Aimée’s music will be heard in brand new big band versions arranged especially for this concert. Teemu Takanen conducts the UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra.
Teemu Takanen (b. 1984) is a conductor, composer, arranger and saxophonist who, in addition to conducting and playing, is regularly employed by various composition commissions. Takanen has collaborated with several Finnish orchestras, big bands and theatres. The innovative music all-rounder, who graduated from the Sibelius Academy with a master’s degree in music, has been awarded multiple times in various composition and arrangement competitions. www.teemutakanen.com
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. www.umohelsinki.fi
Photo: Noé Cugny