Aili Järvelä & UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra Singer-songwriter
Aili Järvelä, whose album
Vuori captivated audiences, teams up with the
UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra for the concert series
On Nordic Ground in February. The concert tour includes stops in Raahe, Kaustinen, Närpes, Helsinki and Lohja.
Born into a family of folk musicians from Kaustinen, the roots of folk music come naturally to Järvelä, but she fearlessly pushes boundaries. Her work uniquely fuses folk, pop, and indie, earning her a Teosto Award. Joined by UMO’s vibrant jazz arrangements, her recognisable sound, fresh rhythms and emotive storytelling take on a grander, more expansive dimension.
The concert programme features a selection of the most beloved songs from Aili Järvelä's own production. Alongside these, there will be premieres of new works commissioned especially for UMO and Järvelä by composers and arrangers either from Ostrobothnia or active in the region. The conductor is
Ville Vannemaa.
The concert series marks the launch of UMO's three-year project, supported by the
Kone Foundation. The initiative aims to enhance diversity and sustainability in the big band scene while fostering regional cooperation beyond the Helsinki metropolitan area. Each year, the project shifts its geographical focus, spotlighting local songwriters from each region through new commissions, arrangements and repertoire rentals.
A grant from the
Swedish Cultural Foundation enables UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra to perform in Närpes and Lohja, helping to promote jazz concerts in the Swedish-speaking regions of Finland.
Before the concerts, Deeper into the Show discussions are held to explore the themes and music. The events are in Finnish. There is not a discussion in Närpes.
Each concert lasts approximately 2 hours, including an interval.
www.ailijarvela.comwww.umohelsinki.fi