UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra

Jazz orchestras in America have dwindled to a precious few. Once a dominant jazz aggregation from the 1920s into the early 1970s, the big band tradition is now largely a museum piece relegated to repertory institutions on the receiving end of sizable donor support. Or they are in the entertainment divisions of the four branches of the military. In all fairness, how else can large instrumental ensembles survive when so many musicians are required on a consistent basis, original music must be written, arrangements and copying must be done, and regular rehearsals are essential? In addition, public tastes in jazz and pop music have shifted to smaller groups and have an economic chance in the marketplace.

By contrast, jazz orchestras flourish overseas thanks largely to government sponsorship and public interest. In Europe, most countries still operate TV and radio programming and studios, so each major station has its own jazz orchestra of subsidized musicians and rehearsal and performance spaces. In Finland, we find the UMO Jazz Orchestra. Founded in 1975 by jazz musicians Heikki Sarmanto and Esko Linnavalli, UMO is an acronym for Uuden Musiikin Orkesteri (New Musical Orchestra). Since 1984, UMO has been a professional orchestra financed by the Finnish Broadcasting Co., the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture, and the city of Helsinki.

UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra, under the direction of trombonist and conductor Ed Partyka (above), has just released Last Dance—the UMO's 28th album since 1976. The album was recorded at the Savoy Theatre in Helsinki and features just four lengthy tracks that gives each one a chance to build and evolve:

G.G.'s Last Dance was composed and arranged by Ed Partyka, with a trombone solo by Kasperi Sarikoski.

Para Nada was composed by Eliane Elias and arranged by Ed, with a lovely clarinet solo by Mikko Mäkinen and a piano solo by Seppo Kantonen.

Dienda was composed by Kenny Kirkland and arranged by Ed, with solos by Jouni Järvelä (alto saxophone), Tatu-Pekka Paukkunen (French horn); Kantonen (piano) and Jaska Lukkarinen (drums).

Do as I Say (Not as I Do), composed and arranged by Ed, with a soprano saxophone solo by Ville Vannemaa.

Ed's arranging gives gives the band a gentle-but-hip, “Gil Evans meets the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra" feel, and the musicianship is exceptional, not to mention the organic feel. My suggestion is to pay $4 to download or access the album at Spotify and just let it play as you work or read. The music takes wonderful twists and turns, and breathes beautifully. From YouTube videos, Finland seems like a gorgeous country with wonderful people, particularly Helsinki. I must pay a visit one day. On top of my to-do list would be to hear the UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra in concert.

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