Jazz Finland Live

American composer and arranger Bill Holman (b. 1927) will be in the spotlight of UMO Jazz Orchestra’s second jazz matinee of spring 2014. The concert, which is conducted by Vellu Halkosalmi, features for example the music of Stan Kenton, Buddy Rich and Bill Holman orchestras.

Figures like Bill Holman are easily left in the shadows of great conductors, even though their contribution has been significant on the sound of the orchestras they have worked for. In the course of his long career, Holman has composed music for Count Basie, Woody Herman and Gerry Mulligan to name a few. He has had the greatest influence – apart from his own orchestras of course – perhaps on the Stan Kenton Orchestra, whose chief arranger he was from the 50’s to the 60’s and 70’s.

“Holman is one of the few arrangers, who have managed to create very distinctive, recognizable style”, conductor Vellu Halkosalmi explains and continues: ”The way that Holman incorporates counterpoint, exciting dissonant chords, clear songs structures and combines them with tight, groovy rhythms, is still thrilling musicians and audiences everywhere around the world.”

Conductor: Vellu Halkosalmi

Concert duration: c. 60 min, no intermission

Note! A pre-concert talk will be held in the café at the concert venue at 13.15 before each concert. Conductor Vellu Halkosalmi will be discussing with the audience.

Open event