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Composer and pianist Heikki Sarmanto, a leading figure in Finnish jazz, has been Internationally acclaimed for his symphonic, orchestral and jazz ensemble works, as well as numerous, distinctively personal mixture of idioms from jazz, classical and ethnic music. In the 1960s, Sarmanto studied at the Sibelius Academy and was the first Finnish jazz musician to win a scholarship to Berklee College of Music in Boston. In 1970, he was chosen Jazz Musician of the Year in Finland and the following year he won top prizes at the Montreux Jazz Festival in both piano and combo categories.

Sarmanto premiered "Suomi", his symphonic jazz poem, at Carnegie Hall In 1988 with his own quartet and the New York Pops Orchestra. A decade earlier, his "New Hope Jazz Mass", a work for mixed choir, jazz ensemble and soprano, was commissioned for the opening of New York's Saint Peter's Church. The work was also featured at the Newport Jazz Festival.

In 1995 Sarmanto, premiered and recorded "Hearts", his concerto for symphony orchestra and jazz ensemble, with the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra. In the same year, at the Savonlinna Opera Festival in Finland, he premiered his "Perfect Harmony", a massive work for soloists, mixed choir and jazz ensemble, in collaboration with librettist Gregory Allan Freelon, featuring New York's Opera Ebony.

In 1996 Sarmanto completed his commissioned operatic work, "Manon", for the new Finnish National Opera in Helsinki. In 1996, Sarmanto's and Freelon's "Perfect Harmony" was performed at the World's Largest Snow Castle in Kemi, Finland, with Opera Ebony.

Sarmanto has more than 30 released recordings, numerous published scores, and songbooks, as well as several film scores to his credit. He has collaborated with jazz-legends such as Sonny Rollins, Art Farmer, Helen Merrill and George Russell in addition to his work in the classical arena with baritone Jorma Hynninen, Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra and the Tapiola Children's Choir.

In September 1998 Sarmanto was appointed Artistic Director of the UMO Jazz Orchestra.