Sami & Jorma – Keikarit Huvilassa feat. UMO
The charismatic duo Sami Sykkö and Jorma Uotinen bring their beloved Sami & Jorma show to the stage for the second time. Their March performance at Savoy Theatre sold out in an instant, and now the spectacle unfolds at Huvila on a bigger stage, in a grander and truly unique concert format.
Masters of style, culture, and life, Sykkö and Uotinen dive into the evening’s most current phenomena and legendary stories—without holding back. These keikarit (dandies) don’t beat around the bush; they go straight to the heart of the matter. The evening will feature special surprise guests, and Uotinen’s unforgettable musical performances will add an extra layer of grandeur to the night. The show will be performed in Finnish.
The evening’s musical force is UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra, celebrating its 50th anniversary, bringing the elegance and swing of a world-class big band. As one of Finland’s most esteemed orchestras, UMO has performed with top-tier soloists for half a century, and now it takes the Sami & Jorma evening to new heights.
This dazzling night, filled with style, charm, and impeccable flair, is a celebration of life, aesthetics, and great emotions—delivered with charisma and uncompromising elegance!
Sami Sykkö is a journalist, working life professor at LUT University, economist, style icon, and traveler.
Jorma Uotinen is a professor, choreographer, singer, judge on Dancing with the Stars Finland, and a true renaissance man.
UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra – Sauna palaa!
After the Keikarit Huvilassa spectacle, UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra turns up the heat with Sauna palaa!, one of its most iconic works—performed live for the first time in nearly 20 years to mark the orchestra’s 50th-anniversary season.
Originally commissioned in 2004 to celebrate the 170th anniversary of Finnish literary icon Aleksis Kivi, Sauna palaa! (literally “The Sauna is Burning!”) is a legendary jazz suite inspired by Kivi’s Seven Brothers (Seitsemän veljestä). The work features compositions from seven acclaimed Finnish composers: Mikko Hassinen, Kari Ikonen, Eero Koivistoinen, Jukka Linkola, Kirmo Lintinen, Eero Ojanen, and Jarmo Savolainen. Conducting the performance is Kirmo Lintinen, who also led the original recording.
A true cult classic, Sauna palaa! was a Jazz Emma Award nominee and has received praise both in Finland and internationally, touring concert halls from the Netherlands to the UK and from Ireland to Canada. In 2005, Helsingin Sanomat hailed Sauna palaa! as “the best project in UMO’s history,” and All About Jazz praised its unique fusion of Finnish folk elements with contemporary jazz.
Last performed live in 2007, this masterpiece now returns to the stage in all its glory. It’s time to stoke the fire and turn up the heat!
Doors: 17.00
Sami & Jorma feat. UMO: 18.00
UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra – Sauna palaa!: 20.15
Age limit: 18
UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra – The Greatest Feats since 1975. Get ready to groove as we mark 50 years of achievements and mastery in jazz! UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra celebrates its 50th anniversary season from summer 2025 to spring 2026. Throughout these decades, the orchestra has been at the forefront of Finnish jazz. Over the years, UMO has recorded over 60 albums, received Yrjö and Emma prizes, and even a Grammy nomination. The orchestra has shared the stage with international jazz stars as well as Finnish artists. One thing remains constant: the core of UMO is in new music. Join us for our anniversary season to look back on the past and celebrate our achievements, all while keeping our eyes firmly on the exciting future ahead. Come and celebrate together with the UMO! www.umohelsinki.fi
Photo of Sami & Jorma: Sergey Slavinsky