Mosabacka Big Band

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As  the  newly-elected  band  secretary  of the  Mosabacka  Big  Band, established 26 years ago, I was considering various programmatic themes for the band. Under the leadership of Olli Pitkänen, it was really a swinging band. Sofia Finnilä came to my mind as a fine and competent jazz singer. "We need her", was my thought. It was Sofia's idea to revitalise Monica Zetterlund's repertoire from the late sixties, and to perform the songs with Beppe Wolgers' fine Swedish lyrics once again. Roger Freundlich (b.NYC), a tenor sax player in the band, wrote new arrangements with financial assistance from Konstsamfundet and Kulturfonden. Following Olli Pitkänen's tragic death last winter, Mauri Isoaho became the bandleader. So this project is a tribute to Olli Pitkänen as well as Monica Zetterlund.

Pictures of the project in the planning stage.  

Arranger Roger Freundlich (centre) discusses the arrangements with Curre Boucht and Sofia Finnilä

A Tribute to Monica Zetterlund. Sofia Finnilä with Mosabacka Big Band.
First performance:  Helsinki Esplanade, June 18th 2010
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Following the success of "A Tribute to Monica Zetterlund" concert at the Helsinki Esplanade, June 18th 2010, Mosabacka Big Band with Sofia Finnilä played the same programme to an enthusiastic audience at The Baltic Jazz Festival  on Friday 9th July, 2010.  Below are some pics taken by Hiroshi Waka and used with his kind permission
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The hot summer weather has brought with it some very good gigs for the band.  On Saturday  14th August, we played at Knipan, a very fne restaurant set in delightful surroundings at Tammisaari (Oak Island) right by the sea.     http://www.knipan.fi/

Below are some pics of us with our fine touring bus  
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