The soulful jazz superstar, sensational singer and songwriter Jazzmeia Horn tops the UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra’s 50th anniversary season in May – concerts in Helsinki, Turku and Jazzfest Bonn in Germany!
UMO’s guest soloist is the jazz singer and songwriter Jazzmeia Horn (b. 1991) from the US. Horn is a soulful virtuoso voice and storyteller, and her style also features nuances of soul and gospel. Horn has been nominated for a Grammy Award three times (2018, 2020, 2021), and she has received prizes in among others the Thelonius Monk Institute International Jazz Competition (2015) and the Sarah Vaughan Jazz International Jazz Vocal Competition (2013). Jazz critics, as well as fans, have compared her to iconic jazz singers such as Betty Carter and Nancy Wilson.
Jazzmeia Horn has recorded three solo albums as well as the Grammy-nominated album Dear Love (2021) together with her big band Noble Force, consisting of 15 musicians. She has also collaborated with the WDR Big Band from Germany. This concert features repertoire from both of these projects.
Jukka Eskola (b. 1978) has previously played in the UMO trumpet section and as a guest soloist with the UMO, and he now makes his debut as conductor of this orchestra. He performs regularly with his own ensembles Jukka Eskola Soul Trio, Jukka Eskola Quintet and Jukka Eskola Orquestra Bossa as well as with other ensembles, and he has performed with, among others, The Five Corners Quintet and Ricky-Tick Big Band. He has recorded seven solo albums, performed on over a hundred records, received the Pori Jazz Artist of the Year Award, been nominated for Emma awards, as well as performed in theatre productions and done teaching work. Eskola can also be seen in orchestras in TV entertainment programmes.
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