Mikko Hassinen

Mikko Hassinen Is A Finnish Drummer Composer And Has Also Been Conducting The UMO Jazz Orchestra. He Released The Album Traveller With UMO In November 2008. Drummer Mikko Hassinen Was Noticed By Pepa Päivinen As The Last Century Was Drawing To A Close. The Saxophonist Has Featured Hassinen Not Only On His Sophomore Effort 'Umpsukkelis' 1999 But Also On Numerous Live Appearances Both In And Outside Of Finland. Nowadays An Important Component Of Pepa Päivinen's Bands Hassinen Can Be Heard On The Albums 'Fun Faraway' 2002 And 'Tiram Num' 2005 . Whilst Working With Päivinen The Drummer Was Noticed By Guitarist Raoul Björkenheim. Such Was His Devotion That Björkenheim Went On To "borrow" Päivinen's Rhythm Section Of Hassinen And Bassist Hannu Rantanen To Back Him As The Raoul Björkenheim Triad In 2000. Hassinen's Collaboration With Björkenheim Has Continued In The Big Band Realm. 2007 Saw The Release Of 'Sky Is Ruby' Which Consists Of The UMO Jazz Orchestra's Readings Of Björkenheim's Compositions. All In All Working With The UMO Has Been Very Rewarding For Hassinen. The Big Band Has Provided Him With A Learning Platform. Of Special Notice Is The Fact That The Drummer Is A Prolific Composer And Producer As Well. Apart From His Jazz-Oriented Passions Mikko Hassinen Has Also Investigated The Area Of Programmed Music And More Specifically Drum & Bass. His Vehicle For This Form Of Expression Damodara Has Released Three Discs. read less