Oulu All Star Big Band and
Uleåborg Jazz Organisation ry

Oulu All Star Big Band is run by the Uleåborg Jazz Organisation ry. The orchestra was established in spring 2005 with a guideline of being a modern big band living in real time while still maintaining connections with big band traditions. The concrete operation of the band is based on unbiased cooperation of local music professionals.

Oulu All Star Big Band consists of local music freelancers, teachers and professionals from Oulu Symphony Orchestra, Oulu Conservatoire and Pohja Military Band. The orchestra was established in spring 2005 with a guideline of being a modern big band living in real time while still maintaining connections with big band traditions.

The music ranges from Latin American rhythms to rock music and from new big band compositions to traditional jazz anthems. The orchestra also actively seeks to produce new big band musical arrangements in cooperation with Finnish and Swedish professional musicians, which is very significant at a national level. Tapio Maunuvaara from Norrbotten Big Band has been acting as the Artistic Director and Conductor of the orchestra since 2006.

Oulu All Star Big Band organizes performances in cooperation with guest stars and conductors. Performing with successful artist guarantees the continuing development of the orchestra and the motivation of its musicians, while also appealing to the audiences. The band has performed with Victoria Tolstoy (Swe), Annika Granlund (Swe), Romy Camerun (Ger), Marzi Nyman, Johanna Iivanainen, Mikko Leppilampi, Sami Pitkämö, Evelio Calan (Cuba), Paulo Murga (Chile), Laura Voutilainen, Sami Saari, Jarkko Ahola,Maarit Hurmerinta, Jukka Eskola and Timo Lassy. The orchestra performs often at various music festivals, such as annual Oulu Music Festival, Kalottjazz in Tornio and Elojazz Festival in Oulu. The first Oulu All Star Big Band Festival was organized 14. -16.6.2007 and the event is now annual.

Oulu All Star Big Band also works in longterm cooperation with the Pop & Jazz Department of Oulu Conservatoire at the School of Music.