UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra performs in Ekenäs and at Kulturhuset Karelia after several years!
Note! The same concert is in Helsinki on Sat, Nov 7th at Musiikkitalo. For more information, check this page
Making her debut as UMO’s guest vocal soloist is singer-composer Selma Savolainen, who has been aptly described as the “Saima Harmaja for millennials.” Her music combines profound lyrics with intense jazz.
The concert features brand new big band arrangements from Savolainen’s award-winning album Horror Vacui, as well as works composed especially for this concert, bring Savolainen’s voice into the sound of the large orchestra.
The programme will also feature material from Savolainen’s recently released album in the shade, where the raw edge of 90s British punk meets vibrant Brazilian rhythms. The conductor is Mikko Hassinen.
Duration about 75 minutes, no intermission. No age limit.
UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra is taking jazz to the Finnish-Swedish regions of the country with the support of The Swedish Cultural Foundation in Finland.
Selma Savolainen (b. 1993) is one of the most luminous Finnish jazz vocalists, composers, and bandleaders of her generation. She is renowned for her exceptional ability to blend modern jazz traditions and virtuosic improvisation across genres, ranging from experimental indie hybrids to contemporary classical music. Savolainen’s compositions echo both Nordic melancholy and the vibrant influences of the New York jazz scene. Her acclaimed debut album, Horror Vacui (Whirlwind Recordings, 2023), propelled her to the centre of the Finnish jazz scene and earned her the prestigious Jazz-Emma award. In addition to her own quintet and the vocal ensemble Signe, Savolainen is known for her versatile collaborations at the intersection of various musical styles. Her live performances have received widespread critical acclaim. www.selmasavolainen.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: Severi Uusitalo