UMO JAZZ ORCHESTRA, Finland’s only professional orchestra, specializes in jazz and other rhythm-oriented music. The orchestra performs a wide range of contemporary music, keeping up with the times. UMO is a creative organization that works to make Finnish music more widely known in Finland and abroad. Our orchestra is known as one of the most respected big bands in the world. UMO promotes Finnish jazz production by presenting and commissioning as much material as possible. UMO is now recognized all over the globe. This orchestra is composed of Finland’s top jazz musicians and offers musicians hands-on training in jazz and popular music. UMO was founded in 1975. In the middle 1970s, bizarre news from Helsinki spread – UMO had been established in 1975. Esko Linnavalli and Heikki Tarmanto, who were also the founders of the Finnish Jazz Music Workshop, were the founders. The group began work on an album called Our Latin Friends in 1975. It was named after Heikki Sarmanto. The name of the orchestra was changed during the recording process. Uuden Musiikin Orkesteri was created and the workshop was registered as an association. Markku Johansson was a founding member. The orchestra’s name is derived from him. Uuden Musiikin Orkesteri attempted to be the Uusimaa Region’s regional orchestra during its first year, 1975 – 1976. Unfortunately, it was not easy to achieve success. The orchestra watched the situation closely for the next few years and hoped that their calls would be answered. Even though there was no official support, UMO saw world-class performers perform with it from the beginning. Esko Linnavalli was a founding member of UMO. He was also in Jorma Pantula’s conducting classes with Esa-Pekka salonen, who is currently a world-renowned conductor. The orchestra’s financial difficulties began to improve towards the end of 1970. The UMO concert with Dizzy Gillespie was the beginning of a new beginning. It was the first joint project of UMO, the City of Helsinki and YLE, as well as the Ministry of Education. This was the foundation for UMO’s financial and administrative future, upon which the orchestra still relies to this day. UMO was a professional orchestra that operated as a big band from 1984 to now. This was made possible by a trilateral agreement between the City of Helsinki and YLE, as well as the Ministry of Education. UMO was not an experiment anymore – the orchestra was here to stay. UMO was saved by the City of Helsinki. UMO’s operation was made possible by the efforts of Heikki S. von Hertzen, the Deputy Mayor, and Veijo Varpio (the new Festival Director at the Helsinki Festival). UMO has been touring successfully in the United States of America, Canada, Norway and Italy. UMO went on a major European tour in 1994 with Natalie Cole. The orchestra went on a six week European tour two years later with the internationally acclaimed vocal group Manhattan Transfer. UMO recently performed in Canada as part of its promotion tour for Sauna Palaa! in summer 2007. In 1991, the orchestra received the Finnish Music Award. Many orchestra members have also been awarded the Finnish Jazz Federation’s Yrjo Award. UMO also engages in musical education by playing rhythm music samples and teaching school children. UMO actively participates in international events that promote music export and foster cooperation with other arts forms. UMO was given a home when UMO Jazz House, located in Helsinki’s heart, opened August 2001. It is a place where live music lovers can come together. This was also where the office of UMO was located. It served as both a rehearsal space for UMO and a concert hall, as well as being a venue for other clubs and groups. The orchestra had to leave the Jazz House in February 2007 due to significant moisture damage. Since then, they have rehearsed at various venues and given concerts. UMO currently has more than 2,200 compositions in its repertoire. UMO’s unique collection grows every year with the addition of foreign soloists and orchestra leaders. Some of the most well-known jazz musicians have been invited to conduct the orchestra as soloists or conductors. UMO has relied on international cooperation to develop jazz music in Finland. The orchestra has recorded 22 albums since its inception and participated in many other recordings. UMO’s albums are extremely well-received worldwide. From www.umo.fi
