In its 50th anniversary season, the 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. In March, UMO will perform in Mariehamn, Vaasa and Kokkola after several years.
Prepare yourself for a night of surprising and inspiring sounds, challenging the customary and traditional big band sound! The musicians of the UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra are known for their wide range, and in this concert, they stretch and reexamine the boundaries of big band music under the baton of conductor Mikko Hassinen. The guest artists are the baritone saxophonist Pepa Päivinen, retired from UMO and known as an avant-garde trailblazer of free jazz, as well as the unique voice talent, jazz singer, and cellist Anni Elif. The name UMO comes from the Finnish words Uuden Musiikin Orkesteri, meaning orchestra for new music, and in this concert, the focus is tightly on new music. This is a night of bravery, experimentation, and creativity – follow along!
The concert is part of UMO’s 50th anniversary season. Duration 2 h, including intermission.
Pertti “Pepa” Päivinen (b. 1955) is an adaptable and powerful baritone saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist, who is also known as an avant-garde pioneer of free jazz. Päivinen started out in rock, pop and pop groups in the 1970s, naturally moved to jazz in the early 1980s, and played regularly with UMO from 1985 until his retirement in 2018. He has played on almost all of Sound & Fury’s albums and has released several albums with his own groups. Päivinen has been awarded Jazz-Yrjö and Emma, among others. Päivinen’s deep baritone saxophone voice has also deservedly received international attention. www.pepapaivinen.com
Anni Elif Egecioglu (b. 1986) is a Finnish vocalist, cellist and composer with roots from Sweden and Turkey. She is a firework of an artist and composer, combining a colourful classical- jazz crossover mezzo-voice with tones from her cello or synthesizer. Egecioglu has got what seems like an endless source of stylistic influences. She is known for her work in the alternative group Elifantree which makes music in the borderland between improvised and progressive music. Egecioglu also works frequently with international musicians, artists and contemporary composers and her musicianship has brought her to many corners of the world. www.annielif.com
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
Photo: Maarit Kytöharju / Olli Nurmi