Sointi Jazz Orchestra's new big band take on the traditional Christmas play Star Boys' Singing Procession will be touring the Helsinki metropolitan area for the second time this Christmas. The group has also collaborated with saxophonist Jukka Perko on a new version of the traditional hymn Hoosianna. The song can be caught on the Jouluradio starting from the first Advent.
Sointi Jazz Orchestra, a 17-piece led by the promising composer-arranger Rasmus Soini (b. 1990), will perform their big band version of the classic Christmas play, Star Boys’ Singing Procession, thrice in the Helsinki metropolitan area this Christmas. Soini and the group’s drummer Siiri Partanen have not only rearranged the well-known Christmas favourites but also composed some entirely new material for their take on the play. Singers Kalle Ruusukallio, Lauri Mikkola, Juuso Waris and Minna Tuuliainen will feature on vocals and in the roles of the Star Boys. The group has also worked with costume designer Sanna Niskanen and visual designer Juha Koivusalo on the project.
Sointi Jazz Orchestra, founded in 2013, is formed by young freelance musicians. Their distinctive style, which infuses jazz with classical elements, and fresh and unapologetic approach to jazz music – which have also been taken notice of by the media – are firmly present in the new Christmas production, too. “We have rearranged the piece from beginning to end, even thrown in some entirely new interludes,” Soini tells. “And we have left some room for improvisation, too.” The new version, premiered last Christmas, is almost an hour-long musical piece, with familiar numbers carrying the plot through shifting moods.
Soini and Partanen’s interpretation was first performed last Christmas at the Senate Square, Kanneltalo and Arabiasali in Helsinki, gathering a crowd of several hundred people in total and gaining some extolling feedback. “The Kanneltalo concert was sold out last year so we were welcomed back this year, too”, Soini chuckles. This year will see the concert take over both Malmitalo and, for the first time, Espoo’s Louhisali.
The idea of reshaping the 200-year musical tradition came from drummer Partanen. “I was never a huge fan of the traditional version, which might be why I wanted to do something new with it”, Soini says. ”Star Boys’ Singing Procession is a strong brand; it’s always there at Christmas but nobody has ever dared to put a creative finger on it. Our version has jestingly been dubbed as the 21st century Snowman – this version will stand the test of time!”
Last Christmas the concert was aired on Jouluradio (Christmas Radio) and this year the collaboration with the radio station sees a new chapter when the Soini’s new arrangement of the traditional hymn Hoosianna will open Jouluradio’s season on the first Advent on 29 November. The piece has been arranged for Sointi Jazz Orchestra and saxophonist Jukka Perko and it is the fourth commission that Jouluradio has requested from a well-known Finnish jazz composer the previous being Rajaton, Kerkko Koskinen Kollektiivi and Jesse Kaikuranta & Lenni-Kalle Taipale. Sointi Jazz Orchestra and Jukka Perko’s Hoosianna can be caught on the radio until the Boxing Day.
Sointi Jazz Orchestra was first assembled by Soini two years ago, when he had original material but needed a band to play it in a concert. A freelance big band is still a rare phenomenon in the field of Finnish music, but that is not the only factor making Sointi Jazz Orchestra a unique group: they have, for instance, been involved in the world of theatre on the production Juhlat with the Student Theatre of Helsinki. The production will be restaged in Malmitalo in January. In addition, Sointi Jazz Orchestra has played their original material at Koko Jazz Club and the Espa Stage.
Critics have praised the freshness and subtle, surprising new elements that are present in Soini’s compositions and arrangements. “My goal is to bring something new to the tradition of big band music. As a composer my point of departure is always to create music that gives space for each performer’s own personality,” says Soini. Next spring you will not have to get up from your living room couch to get to listen to their stuff since a debut album is finally due to come out that time.
Star Boys Teaser:
SOINTI JAZZ ORCHESTRA PRESENTS: STAR BOYS’ SINGING PROCESSION 2015:
Wed 9 Dec 2015 at 14.00 Espoon kulttuurikeskuksen Louhisali, Espoo
Kulttuuriaukio 2, Espoo
Tickets starting from 15 €
Wed 9 Dec 2015 at 19.00 Malmitalo, Helsinki
Ala-Malmin tori 1, Hki
Tickets starting from 11,50/6,50 €
Thu 10 Dec 2015 at 18.00 Kanneltalo, Helsinki
Klaneettitie 5, Hki
Tickets starting from 11,50 €
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