Classic musical hits and jazz frenzy! Echoes of Broadway is jazz singer Elena Mîndru’s doctoral concert, in which Broadway classics come to life as interpreted by a large jazz orchestra. For Mîndru, who is completing her doctoral degree in Arts at the Sibelius Academy, the concert with the UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra is the final artistic component of her degree.
In this concert, beloved Broadway classics are brought to life as new big band arrangements by Artturi Rönkä and Sampo Kasurinen. The conductor is Ville Vannemaa, the new chief conductor of the UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra.
Duration approx. 60 min, no intermission.
Elena Mîndru (b. 1988) is one of the best Finnish jazz singers. Known for her charismatic performances and improvisations, Mîndru regularly performs as a soloist with large orchestras in both her home countries, Finland and Romania, among other countries. She has published six jazz albums under her own name, the latest Second Time Around in 2026. Mîndru has also gained recognition as a composer and has written several works for big band, symphony orchestra and smaller ensembles. www.elenamindru.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: Teemu Mattsson