“Boogie Blues – A Tribute to Anita O’Day” concert tour was dedicated to the great lady of jazz, Anita O’Day (1919-2006). The concert tour memorised and respected her genuine vocal style, charisma and astonishing rhythmic and improvisational skills.
I initiated this big band project already in April 2006 as I wanted to create something inspiring in the swing style and with the big bands. Therefore I was so happy when composer, trumpet player Mika Myllari took the challenge and promised to write me brand new arrangement material on twelve selected tunes that Anita made famous with her genuine interpretation. The program consisted of tunes from the 40’s and the 50’s the period when Anita was very active with recording and touring.
The concert program was very well received during 2007-2010 and I had the pleasure of performing the ultimately swinging material with the following fine sounding big bands with their excellent conductors :
Lappeenranta Big Band – Ismo Varis
The Great Helsinki Swing Big Band – Mika Mylläri
Lohja Big Band – Eugen Stenman
Kotka Big Band – Ari Ismälä
Opera Big Band – Mika Mylläri
Nokia Big Band – Petri Juutilainen
Grani Big Band – Jan Takolander
Oulu All Stars Big Band – Tapio Maunuvaara
Ilmavoimien Big Band – Tomi Väisänen
Opera Big Band – Jukka Linkola