Linda Fredriksson & UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra: Agatha 2 by Kerkko Koskinen, Iisa

Agatha (2007), the first instrumental record composed by Kerkko Koskinen, received a fabulous follow-up last autumn in Agatha 2. The soloist of the album, which was recorded together with UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra, is the Emma and Teosto award-winning jazz musician, saxophonist Linda Fredriksson. With the new album, Agatha also returns to Huvila, where, in the summer of 2007, the first instalment was performed in a sold-out concert. 

The majestic musical language of Kerkko Koskinen, who became known as the mastermind behind Ultra Bra, meets the visionary and tender sound of Fredriksson, who rose to international jazz stardom with their album Juniper, and the nuanced tones of UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra, the leading big band in Finland. As additional flavouring, the sequel was the first new album released in over a decade by Ricky-Tick Records, who, like the first Agatha album, had a key influence in the new rise of Finnish jazz in the 2000s. Helsingin Sanomat critic Hannu Uusitorppa gave the album a full five stars.

UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra is conducted by Mikko Hassinen.

The night’s opening act is Iisa, who ends her recording break of this year and comes to Huvila with her five-person live band. The singer-songwriter is preparing her fifth studio album and will play a set tailored specifically for the last night of August that is full of her gig classics and audience favourites. Having entered the public eye in the cult band Regina, Iisa is in many ways an exceptionally seasoned artist within the Finnish musical field. She operates in the most progressive and innovative realm of pop, while also existing in a musical universe of her own. Iisa is known for her strong autofictional lyrics as well as the hits she has written for several top Finnish artists.