Bianca Rantala & Valter Soosalu & UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra

Gigil Marathon is a bold and ambitious new work for the UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra and the harpejji — and marks Bianca Rantala’s debut as conductor of the orchestra. The soloist is Estonian multi-talent Valter Soosalu, performing on vocals and the rare electric string instrument harpejji. The work is part of UMO’s 50th anniversary season.

Composed by Rantala, Gigil Marathon is believed to be the world’s first composition for big band and harpejji. Musically, the work combines modern big band aesthetics with multilayered fusion harmony and rhythmic inventiveness. The role of the harpejji is multifaceted: at times a solo voice, at times an accompanist, and at times an integral part of the orchestral texture, opening new and unexpected colours within the big band sound. At the heart of the piece are also UMO’s world-class instrumentalists, whose individual and collective strengths Rantala brings to the fore with confidence and precision. The result is a unique, memorable, and richly layered musical experience.

“This project is deeply meaningful to me, as UMO is my favourite jazz orchestra and a collaboration I have dreamed of for a long time. The work brings together several things that are important to me: integrating a new instrument into a big band context, creating musical dialogue between cultures and generations, and collaboration between Finland and Estonia,” Rantala explains.

The title of the work refers to two phenomena. In Tagalog, the language spoken in the Philippines, gigil describes a feeling of overwhelming cuteness that triggers an unexpectedly intense, almost aggressive reaction. Marathon refers to the constant speed and pressure of contemporary life — a state of perpetual competition, both with others and with oneself. The piece reflects today’s dependence on emotional stimulation and the ongoing pursuit of ever more intense experiences.

Composer, conductor, and vocalist Bianca Rantala is an Estonian-Finnish musician known for her bold and emotionally charged artistic voice. Her music moves effortlessly between genres, combining intelligence and playfulness while building bridges between jazz and contemporary music. Rantala conducts several jazz orchestras in Estonia and has composed and arranged music ranging from small ensembles to symphony orchestras. She has received multiple awards as both a composer and vocalist, including the Composer of the Year Award at the Estonian Jazz Gala.

Valter Soosalu is an Estonian composer, conductor, vocalist, and actor, widely respected for his versatility and artistic range. He is known, among other projects, as the lead vocalist of the progressive rock band Põhja Konn. Soosalu and Rantala are recognised for their high-quality collaborative projects, which have been both artistically acclaimed and warmly received by audiences. Soosalu has conducted Saimaa, the Vantaa Pops Orchestra, and Yona’s album Solovey, for which Rantala wrote the symphonic arrangements.

The harpejji is a rare electric string instrument developed by Tim Meeks in 2007. Its playing technique and sound combine elements of the piano, guitar, and bass, enabling an exceptionally versatile sonic palette. Among well-known jazz musicians who play the harpejji are Stevie Wonder, Cory Henry, and Jacob Collier. According to many assessments, Soosalu is regarded as one of the world’s leading harpejji players.

Celebrating its 50th anniversary season from summer 2025 to spring 2026, the UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra has been at the forefront of Finnish jazz for decades. Over the years, the orchestra has recorded more than 60 albums, received Yrjö and Emma Awards, and earned a Grammy nomination. UMO has collaborated with leading international jazz artists as well as prominent Finnish musicians. One thing remains constant: at the core of UMO is new music — bold, forward-looking, and uncompromising.

UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra
Bianca Rantala – conductor, composer, vocalist
Valter Soosalu – harpejji, vocalist

Tickets €40 / €35 + order fee (from €1.50 + 0.65% of order), Lippu.fi
Duration approx. 1h 15min, no intermission.

Tapiola Hall, Espoo Cultural Centre
Kulttuuriaukio 2, 02100 Espoo (Google Maps / HSL Journey Planner)

Photo: Renee Altrov