The acclaimed singer and composer Michael Mayo is one of the leading contemporary vocalists of his generation. The collaboration with the UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra and their newly appointed artist-in-residence kicks off with these concerts!
For this first collaboration, Michael Mayo has curated a custom program featuring his personal favourites, reimagined with brand-new big band arrangements.
American singer and composer Michael Mayo (b. 1992) is one of the leading contemporary vocalists of his generation. He has been prominent in jazz circles since his critically acclaimed debut album Bones (2021) and the follow-up, the Grammy-nominated Fly (2024). In his music, he combines elements of jazz, neo-soul and R&B, and he is particularly known for his innovative and versatile vocal style. Mayo was only the third vocalist accepted into the prestigious Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz. He has collaborated and performed with, among others, Hancock, Jacob Collier, Gretchen Parlato, and Nate Smith.
As artist-in-residence, he will expand UMO’s repertoire and bring new perspectives as well as an extensive network of contacts. He will plan at least four programmes each season and perform with the orchestra at least twice per concert season. Mayo’s two-year term runs from autumn 2026 to spring 2028.
– I’m genuinely so excited to get the chance to collaborate with the UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra. I’ve had so much music swirling in my ears that I’m excited to be able to bring to life such an incredible ensemble. I think we’re gonna have a really special time together, and I look forward to all the music to come, says Mayo.
Conductor Ville Vannemaa.
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: Lauren Desberg