Jazz Finland Live

If you concentrate, you can hear the sound of history at the Dizzy Atmosphere concert – featured soloist Jukka Perko used to play in Dizzy Gillespie’s band in the late 1980’s.

The legendary American trumpet player was UMO’s guest twice: in 1982 for a concert at Kulttuuritalo and in 1985 at UMO’s own Seajazz festival. Gillespie’s visit had a huge impact on UMO and the whole Finnish jazz scene. He is still one of the most significant visitors in the orchestra’s history.

Saxophone player Jukka Perko was only 19 when he was recruited to play on Gillespie’s 70th anniversary tour. He played in the band throughout 1987-1988. After the tour Perko joined UMO and played with the band until 1993.

The celebratory program put together by Perko features songs left by Gillespie in the UMO sheet music archives, including some of his best-known works like A Night in Tunisia and Manteca. Perko also chose some more obscure songs from Gillespie’s oeuvre, including some written in the 1940s.

Open event