UMA

UMA is an Estonian ambient jazz duo consisting of guitarist Robert Jürjendal and trumpeter Aleksei Saks. Formed in 2007, the project represents a significant intersection of Nordic jazz sensibilities and contemporary ambient music.

Their sound identity is defined by the use of live electronics to process traditional instrumentation, creating vast, reverb-drenched soundscapes that evoke the 'ECM sound' but with a more pronounced focus on minimalist repetition and atmospheric texture. Jürjendal, a student of Robert Fripp’s Guitar Craft, brings a disciplined, loop-based approach to the compositions, while Saks provides melodic anchors through his lyrical trumpet playing. Their career arc is marked by collaborations with international artists like Markus Reuter and Tim Bowness, positioning them within a global network of art-rock and experimental musicians. Critical consensus highlights their ability to blend sacred music aesthetics with modern technology, making them a staple for collectors of high-fidelity, atmospheric jazz and neoclassical works.