Biography

Long-awaited debut album by bassist Antti Lötjönen, released on We Jazz Records. In addition to Lötjönen, the band consists of front-row musicians such as trumpetist Verneri Pohjola, saxophonist Jussi Kannaste and Mikko Innanen and drummer Joonas Riippa.

Bassist Antti Lötjönen is familiar from several top-groups of Finnish jazz (such as The Five Corners Quintet, Timo Lassy Band, Aki Rissanen Trio, 3TM, Ilmiliekki Quartet etc.) and launches now his solo artist career with his debut album Quintet East, released by We Jazz Records. Lötjönen is accompanied by quintet of some of the most acclaimed Finnish musicians in Finland and abroad: trumpetist Verneri Pohjola, saxophonist Jussi Kannaste and Mikko Innanen and drummer Joonas Riippa.

Lötjönen has made an impressice record of nine songs, of which eight of them are composed by himself. Tunes include mystical swinging, quiet yet confidency, solo bass songs, dash of avantgarde and references on jazz-heroes such as Ornette Coleman and Charlie Haden. The record was released just before Lötjönen's 40th birthday.

"Swaddled between the experimental and familiar warmth of American jazz in the late 50s and 60s, Antti has bridged the decades to produce a musical showcase as meandrous as it is intense and busy; as traditional as it is modern. A great start as a bandleader, but Quintet East also extolls the talents of an extraordinary proficient and prolific Finnish jazz scene."
– Dominic Valvona / Monolith Cocktail

"Forget all of the hyped jazz right now - this is superb. Disciplined and intricate musicianship, beautifully produced and crisply recorded. Great album and perfect lockdown listening!"
– Quinton Scott / Worldwide FM

"I’ve appreciated ineffable highs of music in many genres, but now I see how jazz does it. I’ve never been able to appreciate it before. So if you’re in that boat with me, I can vouch that Lötjönen has a lot to offer. Someone had to be the key that turned the lock, and, maybe just maybe, Lötjönen was that for me here."
– Stephen Carradini / Independent Clauses

Tracklist

1. Monograph I
2. Erzeben Strasse
3. Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman
4. Pocket Yoga
5. Monograph II
6. P.S.
7. Le Petit Lactoire
8. Rowan