Jazz for lunch – yes please! The Savoy Theatre’s and UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra’s much-anticipated lunch concerts continue in the autumn season of 2025! The free concert tickets can be reserved from Wednesday 20th August at 3 pm onwards at the Savoy Theatre and Lippu.fi, see below for more detailed instructions.

The drummer Jaska Lukkarinen performed with the UMO for the first time in 2003, and now he takes centre stage in this concert series. Lukkarinen is currently finalising his artistic doctoral degree at the Sibelius Academy, and the joint concert with the UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra marks the final artistic component of his doctoral degree.

Lukkarinen is exploring different approaches to accompaniment on the jazz drum set, with a particular focus in this concert on the concept of soloistic accompaniment. His research examines ways to integrate the drums into the overall timbre of the big band as well as combining the surprise elements and dynamic extremes of small ensemble performances with big band accompaniment. The music is composed by Mikko Hassinen, who also conducts the concert.

Most of all, the concert will showcase great big band jazz – not dry, academic research.

Please note! The concert will be held in the Savoy Theatre at 12-13. The admission is free but we recommend that you book a ticket in advance at the Savoy Theatre box office (0 €) or Lippu.fi (1,50 – 3 € commission). Admission only with pre-booked tickets until 11:50am, after which the remaining seats will be given to customers without a pre-booking. Please arrive early as the doors will be closed once the concert has started. The duration of the concert is 1 hour.

The concert is part of UMO’s 50th anniversary season.

Jaska Lukkarinen (b. 1982) is a versatile and sought-after jazz drummer, who is also active as a teacher and composer, and runs his own record label, Jaskaa. He has released several albums with his own ensembles – the latest being One For Joe (2023) – and has played on over a hundred albums, leaving his unique mark on the Finnish jazz scene. Lukkarinen has received numerous accolades during his career, including the Sony Jazz and the Pori Jazz Artist of the Year awards.
www.jaskalukkarinen.com

UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra – The Greatest Feats since 1975. Get ready to groove as we mark 50 years of achievements and mastery in jazz! UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra celebrates its 50th anniversary season from summer 2025 to spring 2026. Throughout these decades, the orchestra has been at the forefront of Finnish jazz. Over the years, UMO has recorded over 60 albums, received Yrjö and Emma prizes, and even a Grammy nomination. The orchestra has shared the stage with international jazz stars as well as Finnish artists. One thing remains constant: the core of UMO is in new music. Join us for our anniversary season to look back on the past and celebrate our achievements, all while keeping our eyes firmly on the exciting future ahead. Come and celebrate together with the UMO! www.umohelsinki.fi