Saxophonist Manuel Dunkel (b. 1971) established his position as one of the prominent voices in the Finnish scene around the mid-1990s. He is known especially for his expressive style and rich tone, which are paired with a sophisticated melodic narrativity and an intensive swing.

Dunkel developed an interest in jazz music in his teens. The young musician drew influences from jazz recordings and eventually enrolled in Pop & Jazz Conservatory, Helsinki, to study the saxophone. He was fascinated by the oeuvre of the great John Coltrane especially, and it was none other than Trane who was to become a major influence for the saxophonist. After graduation, Dunkel pursued his studies further at the Jazz Department of Sibelius Academy where he completed his master’s degree in 2004. Today, he works as a teacher at the very same department.

In the 1990s Dunkel developed a reputation as an adaptable and expressive musician by playing in groups ranging from funk to straight-ahead jazz. His skills and intensity were soon spotted by audiences and critics alike, and manifestations of recognition followed: in 1996 Dunkel received the Pekka Pöyry Prize, an award exclusively for saxophone players, and from 1999 to 2001 he was voted as the Best Tenor Saxophonist by Jazzrytmit magazine, the biggest jazz magazine in Finland.

Dunkel formed his own quartet in 1996, and their eponymous debut came out two years later, in 1998. To date Dunkel has released four albums with his quartet, two with the initial line-up, whereas both the third and fourth release saw different sets of musicians supporting the sax man. Manuel Dunkel Quartet has toured both Finland and performed at international jazz festivals in e.g. France, Greece, Morocco and Serbia. On his latest album, Meeting Point (Texicalli Records, 2013), Dunkel’s band, United, collaborates with the Finnish string ensemble, Proton String Quartet.

Since 1994 Dunkel has been a member of Espoo Big Band and the leading Finnish big band, UMO Jazz Orchestra. Other groups in which Dunkel’s sax has played a major role since the 1990s are Jukka Perko & Hurmio Orchestra, Platypus Ensemble and the inter-Scandinavian band, TONIC, to mention a few. Dunkel has also featured as a soloist both in Finnish and international groups, and his collaborations include Paul Jackson, Rick Margitza, Eric Truffaz and Kenny Wheeler.

ed. Annamari Innanen 23.3.2014