Maratone Quintet - Finding The Way
This album by the younger generation jazz band, the Maratone Quintet, represents the present sound of Scandinavian jazz at its best. The members of the band include trumpeter, Martti Vesala, guitarist, Markus Tiiro, pianist, Petri Rahikkala, bassist, Mikko Pellinen, and drummer, Juho Peltoniemi. The long-time simmering album, comprising the sole compositions of the musicians in the Maratone Quintet, was recorded at the Kallio-Kuninkala studio in Järvenpää in June 2011. The disc was mixed by Hannu Lamminmäki during March 2012 and further mastered by Svante Forsbäck at Chartmakers at the end of spring 2012. The group are highly satisfied with the final results, the characteristic energy and voltage of their live performances has also been transferred successfully onto the recording.
Influences for the recording have been sought from a number of artists who are greatly appreciated by the quintet, including among others, Dave Douglas and the Esbjörn Svensson Trio. A special feature of the Maratone Quintet, comprising a frontline formed out of the trumpet and guitar, also creates a unique and personal touch for the band. A large number of different techniques have been used in the instrumentation of the diverse album. An example of these techniques are different mutes for the trumpet, arco and pizzicato techniques for the bass, various percussion instruments, as well as the prepared piano that is used on the album's final track, Sleepless.
Both the band's tones and the musicians' unique solo power of expression have developed further from the previous released album, as a result of gigging events. All of the group members have also matured as composers, whilst additional nuances have been brought to the jamming. ´The listening to inspirational music and its further analysis functions as a spark for our compositions. I try to mirror my own sound over an inspirational model', says trumpeter, Martti Vesala, explaining the composition of the tracks to be found on the album.
In addition to domestic festivals, the Maratone Quintet has appeared at, among others, the Dølajazz -festival, organised in Lillehammer, Norway. In 2010, the group represented Finland at the Getxo International Jazz Competition, in the final of the jazz group competition.
The band's trumpeter, Martti Vesala (b. 1981), graduated from the Sibelius Academy Jazz Faculty, and has actively performed with, among others, the Martti Vesala Quintet. Bassist, Mikko Pellinen (b. 1983), is also a graduate of the Sibelius Academy Jazz Faculty and has performed in the Mikko Pellinen Mini Big Band and the HERD-trio. Petri Rahikkala (b. 1982) is also a student in the Sibelius Academy Jazz Faculty and has performed in such groups as, Heads and Tales and the Aleksi Ranta Group. Guitarist, Markus Tiiro (b. 1982), graduated from Helsinki Polytechnic and performs, among others, with the Markus Tiiro Quartet, as well as working as a teacher of guitar playing. Drummer, Juho Peltoniemi (b. 1982), is also a graduate of Helsinki Polytechnic. In addition to the Maratone Quintet, he has performed with Susanna Wahl and the Heads and Tales quartets, as well as performing teaching work.