Album Notes

“As long as I remember, I have been interested in flying. Whenever I hear an airplane travel across the sky, I just have to look up and see it. I never became a real pilot myself, but my love for the sky and the flying machines seems to stay with me.

When I got the opportunity to record my debut big band album with the Dutch Metropole Orchestra, I knew I would eventually title the album as “Solo Flight”, referring to the first flight of an aviator without the instructor onboard. After all, this is my solo flight in big band music.

Piloting the acclaimed Dutch Metropole Orchestra offered me a luxurious ride – the band has all the sheer horsepower and maneuverability any big band writer needs to perform any aerobatics you can imagine.

Making this album was tons of fun, and a dream come true for me. I hope you will have your share of the fun by listening to it!


- Vellu Halkosalmi”