Heikki Sarmanto

Born on 22 June 1939 in Helsinki, Finland, Sarmanto pursued studies in languages and music at Helsinki University and the Sibelius Academy before attending Berklee College Of Music from 1968 to 1971. In 1971 he received the award for best pianist at Montreux. He had already been leading his own groups since 1962, and the workshop ensemble he directed in 1976 developed into the big band UMO. His catalogue includes New Hope Jazz Mass, a jazz ballet and a jazz opera; saxophonist Sonny Rollins also selected him to arrange and orchestrate the Saxophone Concerto in 1986. He continues to compose vocal, orchestral and theatre works in a most assured style.