Small ensembles formed from musicians of the UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra, known as the UMO Helsinki Ensemble, will perform a total of five small ensemble concerts in Helsinki libraries in April and May 2026. The library tour is part of UMO’s audience outreach work, and admission to the concerts is free. At the end of the concerts, the audience will have the opportunity to ask the musicians questions. The library tour is part of UMO’s 50th anniversary program.
LIBRARY TOUR PROGRAMME:
UMO Helsinki Ensemble: Harmonies of the Heart
Tue 28 April at 12 PM, Viikki Library
Harmonies of the Heart concert features beloved evergreens performed by a small ensemble of musicians from the UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra. Get ready for a warm-hearted musical moment – melodies that bring back memories, touch your heart, and transport you to the timeless world of jazz.
The UMO Helsinki Ensemble is a smaller ensemble formed from the UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra, whose musicians have extensive careers both with UMO and in their own numerous projects. The concert is part of UMO’s 50th anniversary program.
Line-up:
Olli Ojajärvi, saxophone
Teemu Mattsson, trumpet
Pekka Laukkanen, trombone
Joonatan Henriksson, piano
Kaisa Mäensivu, bass
Markus Ketola, drums
Concert duration approx. 45 min
UMO Helsinki Ensemble feat. Kalevi Louhivuori: Tribute to Chet Baker
Tue 28 April at 5 PM, Myllypuro Library
This concert commemorates jazz trumpeter and singer Chet Baker (USA 1929–1988). Chet Baker has been described as playing the trumpet like a dream and singing softly like a starry night. As a trumpeter, Baker was a master of the West Coast cool jazz style of the 1950s. His singing style was soft and intimate, in the crooner style. The concert will feature some of Baker’s most beloved classics, including his signature song My Funny Valentine.
The UMO Helsinki Ensemble is a smaller ensemble formed from the UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra, whose musicians have extensive careers both with UMO and in their own numerous projects.The ensemble is led by internationally acclaimed trumpet virtuoso, singer, composer, and bandleader Kalevi Louhivuori, who is known for his innovative style and ability to blend traditional and modern elements. The concert program has been designed by trumpeter Mikko Pettinen. The concert is part of UMO’s 50th anniversary program.
Line-up:
Kalevi Louhivuori, vocals, trumpet, ensemble leader
Mikko Mäkinen, saxophone
Mikko Mustonen, trombone
Kirmo Lintinen, piano
Otso Huhtala, bass
Markus Ketola, drums
Concert duration approx. 45 min.
UMO Helsinki Ensemble & Annimaria Rinne: Legacy – UMO x Carola
Wed 29 April at 12 PM, Arabianranta Library
This concert commemorates the legendary singer Carola and her shared history with the UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra. Carola Standertskjöld (1941–1997) retired from performing in the mid-1970s, but returned from time to time in the following decade to perform jazz gigs as a soloist with UMO.
The Legacy – UMO x Carola concert brings the musical legacy of UMO and Carola into the present. Their shared history, shared melodies, and jazz that transcends generations create a moment where the past and the present intertwine. The concert is a tribute to UMO’s 50-year history – alive, present, and looking forward.
UMO Helsinki Ensemble is a smaller ensemble formed from the UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra, whose musicians have extensive careers both with UMO and in their own numerous projects. The concert program has been designed by trumpeter Tero Saarti, who also leads the ensemble. The concert is part of UMO’s 50th anniversary program.
Annimaria Rinne is a Helsinki-based singer who moves effortlessly between jazz and light music. Rinne has performed as a soloist with the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, the Turku Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Pori Sinfonietta, among others.
Line-up:
Tero Saarti, trumpet and ensemble leader
Annimaria Rinne, vocals
Jouni Järvelä, alto saxophone
Joonatan Henriksson, piano
Juho Kivivuori, bass
Kepa Kettunen, drums
Concert duration approx. 45 min
UMO Helsinki Ensemble: Jimmy Giuffre 3
Wed 29 April at 5 PM, Etelä-Haaga Library
!!!Introductory text here!!!!
The UMO Helsinki Ensemble is a smaller ensemble formed from the UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra, whose musicians have extensive careers both with UMO and in their own numerous projects. The concert program has been designed by saxophonist Max Zenger, who also leads the ensemble. The concert is part of UMO’s 50th anniversary program.
Line-up:
Max Zenger, saxophone and ensemble leader
Rene Willman, guitar
Filemon von Numers, bass
Concert duration approx. 45 min
UMO Helsinki Ensemble: Latin Jazz
Mon 11 May at 6 PM, Töölö Library
In this concert, the soulful melodies and improvisation of jazz join forces with the joyful rhythms of Latin America! Let the rhythm carry you away to the smoky jazz clubs of New York and the warmth of Cuba and Brazil.
The roots of Latin jazz date back to the early 20th century, when Cuban immigrants brought their syncopated rhythms to the United States, influencing the pioneering composers of the time. The genre really took off in New York in the 1940s, when Cuban musicians fused jazz with Cuban dance rhythms such as mambo and rumba. Later, in the 1950s and 1960s, Brazilian influences enriched the genre with softer samba rhythms, giving rise to bossa nova. Latin jazz is a musical dialogue between different continents – cheerful, energetic, and danceable!
The smaller ensemble, UMO Helsinki Ensemble, is led by lead trombonist Kasperi Sarikoski, who also planned the concert program. The concert is part of UMO’s 50th anniversary season program.
Line-up:
Kasperi Sarikosi, trombone and band leader
Ville Vannemaa, flute
Kirmo Lintinen, piano
Joshua Levine, bass
Oscar El Husseini, percussion
Sami Lehto, drums
Concert duration approx. 60 min
Photo by Maarit Kytöharju
Cover photo by Juho Liukkonen