FMQ - teppo mäkynen Articles

To boldly go where no man has gone before

To boldly go where no man has gone before

To boldly go where no man has gone before

"Divided Horizon starts ever so gently yet progresses rapidly towards a more forceful and playful expression. High on logic but never too calculated, Rissanen eases himself into the role of a weathered storyteller as the album flows along."

Petri Silas

October 28, 2021

Manipulating time

Manipulating time

Manipulating time

"The delicate interplay flourishes on the tetchy and heavy groove of Zomp, the hypnotic pulse of Kobi and the polyrhythmic drive of Telemagenta. Live Recordings 2019–2020 is a slam dunk of restrained energy and vivid communication."

Petri Silas

April 8, 2021

The music year 2020 in pictures – gigs on a roller coaster

The music year 2020 in pictures – gigs on a roller coaster

The music year 2020 in pictures – gigs on a roller coaster

Maarit Kytöharju is a Helsinki-based photographer who specialises in taking photos of music and musicians. She made us a compilation of 12 photos reflecting the shifting moods in live music in Finland in 2020.

Maarit Kytöharju

December 17, 2020

A drum teacher’s spring time inspiration

A drum teacher’s spring time inspiration

A drum teacher’s spring time inspiration

When instrument lessons were abruptly converted into remote teaching in Helsinki in March 2020, drummer and drum teacher Tommi Rautiainen decided to invite guest teachers to his courses. Soon his students found themselves receiving coaching from international drummer legends.

Patrik Stenström

September 25, 2020

Free bass – Antti Lötjönen steps out of the shadows

Free bass – Antti Lötjönen steps out of the shadows

Free bass – Antti Lötjönen steps out of the shadows

Bassist Antti Lötjönen is one of the busiest Finnish jazz players, having played on well over 100 records, and in dozens of groups. His solo debut was released in April, just a day before Lötjönen turned 40. This summer, touring will have to wait, but Lötjönen doesn’t mind the breather. In Wif Stenger’s interview, the bassist talks about his music and team playing.

Wif Stenger

May 20, 2020

Conceptualist rather than composer

Conceptualist rather than composer

Conceptualist rather than composer

"Constantly looking for the sweet spot where a rough sketch turns into something concrete, Mäkynen is all about moods and the subtle shifts in between them."

Petri Silas

April 16, 2020

On my music and beyond: Notes from a drummer’s underworld

On my music and beyond: Notes from a drummer’s underworld

On my music and beyond: Notes from a drummer’s underworld

"Music was omnipresent in my home, but when drummer friends older than myself introduced me to jazz, I was properly hooked. I decided that the best drummers play jazz, and thus began an exploration that remains as interesting today as it was when I was twelve."

Teppo Mäkynen

December 5, 2019

A trio in transit

A trio in transit

A trio in transit

"Bold openings, world class piano playing and top shelf compositions aside, the real showstopper on Art in Motion is the intricate interplay and collective chemistry."

Petri Silas

November 7, 2019

Time Warp from the 60s

Time Warp from the 60s

Time Warp from the 60s

"The bite-sized songs are multifaceted, both rhythmically and concerning the chord changes, still without losing their charming easy-going feel."

Jan-Erik Holmberg

November 7, 2019

Mo’ Better Lassy

Mo’ Better Lassy

Mo’ Better Lassy

"Concerning the musical styles on this record, Lassy & co. most likely has faith in the old proverb saying, if it ain't broke, don't fix it."

Jan-Erik Holmberg

October 3, 2018

Aki Rissanen presents: The Idea of Another North

Aki Rissanen presents: The Idea of Another North

Aki Rissanen presents: The Idea of Another North

Solo albums, piano trio work and extensive efforts as a sideman both locally and globally made Aki Rissanen one of the leading Finnish jazz pianists of his generation. Now his new album seems to be catapulting him to the top of the heap.

Petri Silas

April 12, 2018

The heavy meta of Teppo Mäkynen

The heavy meta of Teppo Mäkynen

The heavy meta of Teppo Mäkynen

Displaying Mäkynen’s love for trad jazz and his roots in hip hop and sampling, Form is a calm and collected trip through uncharted territories.

Petri Silas

December 15, 2017

Strong as ever

Strong as ever

Strong as ever

As witnessed both on Verneri Pohjola’s Bullhorn and Aki Rissanen Trio’s Amorandom, the musicians breathe together in a magic way. And with Another North, they push the envelope of band ESP even further.

Petri Silas

December 15, 2017

The complete set

The complete set

The complete set

The music on Jukka Eskola Soul Trio's album is straightforward, stylish and groovy Soul Jazz, almost directly from the 60s. However, the discerning listener will find details with a more recent time stamp.

Jan-Erik Holmberg

June 8, 2017

Bop goes cool

Bop goes cool

Bop goes cool

Jukka Perko Tritone moves the onetime fierce music of Dizzy Gillespie to somewhat gentler realms, still not losing the original ideas and logics of the songs.

Jan-Erik Holmberg

June 8, 2017

Nordic cool

Nordic cool

Nordic cool

"Teddy’s West Coasters’ Volume 2, like its predecessor, pays homage to the West Coast Cool of the 1950s American jazz scene, an era which has clearly captured the imagination of bandleader/composer/arranger Teppo Mäkynen."

Pierre Ringwald

May 4, 2016

Smiley goes west

Smiley goes west

Smiley goes west

"Mäkynen’s first-rate compositions alternate with some hand-picked standard tunes, such as “Love Is Here to Stay” or “For Dancers Only”."

Jan-Erik Holmberg

January 8, 1985

World-class jazz for new audiences

World-class jazz for new audiences

World-class jazz for new audiences

...Staging six days of jazz at the beginning of the Christmas season was a risky undertaking, but We Jazz’s astute programming decisions made it work...

Pierre Ringwald

January 8, 1985