This year, UMO’s spring season is full of exciting moments. One of them will, no doubt, take place on 5 April when the recent Grammy-nominee, American tenor saxophonist Joshua Redman (b. 1969) takes to the stage with the big band. One of the most notable reformers of contemporary jazz, Redman’s robust sound and charismatic expression have earned him globewide fame. So far, Redman has been a rare visitor not only in Finland but in the ranks of any big band so we are talking about a very unique occasion.
Today, Redman performs and records music mainly with his own trio but his list of collaborations is long and impressive, including the likes of Quincy Jones, Chick Corea, Brandford Marsalis and The Bad Plus. His latest album was a collaborative effort with the last-mentioned group and an electrifying sax solo that has been captured on the track ”Friend or Foe” was rewarded with a Grammy nomination. As his biggest influences Redman names a series of legends from John Coltrane to Cannonball Adderley and Ornette Coleman, whose legacy resonates in his music very tangibly even today.
The concert programme will be comprised of pieces by John Coltrane, Wayne Shorter, Thelonius Monk and Bill Evans. Finnish music will be represented by Mikko Hassinen’s composition ”Karhunvartija” (”Bearkeeper”) and a handful of pieces from Eero Koivistoinen and Kari Heinilä. The concert will be conducted by UMO’s Kirmo Lintinen.
In Joshua Redman’s words: ”At its best, jazz is soulful, intensive. Not only the artist but the listener, too, has to be able to surrender to it.”
UMO feat. Joshua Redman (USA)
Conducted by Kirmo Lintinen
Tue 5 Apr at 19.00 Savoy Theatre, Helsinki
Tickets (incl. service fees) 34 € / 30 € / 17 € available for purchase on Ticketmaster
UMO is a professional Finnish big band, performing new jazz and related music across the board. Contemporary music being one of UMO’s main focuses the orchestra commissions and performs new material from Finnish composers regularly. Indeed, the group is a key player in making Finnish music better known both in- and outside its country of origin; in providing a school of practical experience for promising young musicians and in enhancing the versatility of Finnish jazz culture. The members come from the top of Finnish jazz. UMO is regarded as one of the leading big bands of the world.
Photo: Jay Blakesberg.