Sanat – Vesala feat. UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra

UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra joins forces with Paula Vesala in a unique special concert called Words (Sanat), featuring music by Vesala sung by Vesala! The repertoire mostly consists of music written by Paula Vesala for other artists, which she does not usually perform herself. The concert programme contains hits born from the pen of the beloved songwriter – such as Johanna Kurkela's Rakkauslaulu, Kaija Koo's Nää yöt ei anna armoo and Katri Ylander’s Mansikkamäki – reborn as jazz arrangements. The audience also gets to enjoy a few more seldom-performed gems from Vesala's solo career. Vesala's touching lyrics and charismatic interpretation will be accompanied by the 16-piece UMO performing new, tailor-made big band arrangements. These are given additional force, nuance and surprises by Finland's top arrangers. The conductor Jukka Eskola also performs as a trumpet soloist. This special line-up takes to the stage at Paviljonki in Jyväskylä on Friday, 22 January. The duration of the concert is two hours, including the interval. No age limit. Paula Vesala is one of the most talented and appreciated artists in Finland. She's known as a singer, composer, lyricist, producer, scriptwriter, director, dramaturge and actor. She is especially remembered for her band PMMP and her more than 10-year-long solo career. Vesala's music is a special combination of artistic integrity and mega-hits that have reached the whole nation. In addition to several Emma awards, she has also received the Juha Vainio Award, the Reino Helismaa Lyricist Prize, and the Finnish State Prize for Music. www.vesala.la

UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra: great achievements and mastery in jazz since 1975! Throughout the decades, UMO has been at the forefront of Finnish jazz. This multi-award-winning ensemble – recipient of the Yrjö and Emma awards and a Grammy nominee – has shared the stage with international jazz legends as well as the brightest stars of the Finnish music scene. With a distinguished discography of over 60 albums, Helsinki’s own "jazz city orchestra" performs across Finland, reaching 35,000 listeners through more than 100 concerts annually. At the heart of UMO is a commitment to new music. The orchestra’s versatile repertoire fearlessly pushes boundaries, from jazz and soulful grooves to classical fusion. www.umohelsinki.fi