Drummer-composer-producer Mäkynen and his crew draw inspiration from the so-called West Coast jazz of the 1950s and 60s. The first disc of the two-part album was released last summer, and its darker sister is to come out on 30 October. Teddy and co can be heard live at We Jazz Festival at Aleksanterin teatteri on 7 December.
Often dubbed as Finland’s number one jazz drummer, Teppo Mäkynen published a new recording as a leader of his own stellar octet, Teddy’s West Coasters. The album – the first one of a two-album whole – came out on label KHY Suomen Musiikki on 10 July and is now followed by Volume 2. So far having given only a few odd live performers, the group, composed of some of the most renowned Finnish jazz artists including saxophonist Jukka Perko, trumpeter Jukka Eskola and bassist Antti Lötjönen, will celebrate the sophomore by performing at We Jazz 2015 festival, at Aleksanterin teatteri on 7 December.
Teddy’s West Coasters finds a source of inspiration in the West Coast jazz, an era beloved by the leading man Mäkynen. Central traits of this genre that developed in the west coast of the United States in the 1950s and 1960s include an effortless swing, melodicity and breezy arrangements. Whilst drawing from this rich and distinctive musical soil especially in formal aspects, a fresh breeze of modernity carries the compositions and arrangements of Mäkynen and co. from the mid-20th century firmly to the 2010s.
“Each musical style has its history and drawing from this history does not, in my opinion, automatically make the outcome retro”, says Mäkynen. “West Coast jazz is our inspirational springboard, but equally important to us is to find a fresh angle to this tradition and, by cultivating an ideal of craftmanship, make our hand show in the final product. I am delighted to present this gifted group to the audience on not one but two recordings. Despite being twins, these albums have different personalities: the first one I would describe as summery, while the second volume sounds a shade darker and more autumnal – as is fitting considering the release dates.”
Mäkynen’s crew is composed of Jukka Perko who will be heard on alto sax and clarinet on the album; baritone sax player Ville Vannemaa; trumpeters Jukka Eskola and Mikko Karjalainen; trombonist Kasperi Sarikoski; tubist Miika Jämsä and bassist Antti Lötjönen. Having had composer-arranger Jussi Lampela as his right hand when arranging the pieces, Mäkynen is able to make the most of his group's atypical instrumentation. Volume 2 is composed of six tracks, half of which are by the maestro himself, the remainder being loans. The CD version includes two bonus tracks -- an alternate take of "Saddlebred", a track that featured on the first album, and an epilogue based on the solemn "Saviour".
Teddy's West Coasters: Volume 2
KHY Suomen Musiikki Oy KHYCD070 LP+CD / CD / digi (release date: 30 Oct 2015)
1. The Mood Is Mellow (M. Gene) / 2. You Don't Know What Love Is (G. DePaul & D. Raye) / 3. Saviour (T. Mäkynen) / 4. Out of This World (H. Arlen) / 5. Culver Loop (Part 2) (T. Mäkynen) / 6. Neutra (T. Mäkynen)
+ bonuskappaleet* 7. Saddlebred (Alternate Take) (T. Mäkynen) / 8. Saviour (Epilogue) (T. Mäkynen)
*tracks 7. and 8. only on CD (and the bonus CD included in the vinyl edition)
Teppo Mäkynen, drums / Jukka Perko, alto sax, clarinet / Ville Vannemaa, baritone sax / Jukka Eskola, trumpet, flugelhorn / Mikko Karjalainen, trumpet, flugelhorn / Kasperi Sarikoski, trombone / Miika Jämsä, tuba / Antti Lötjönen, bass
Arrangements: Jussi Lampela (tracks 1. / 3. / 4. / 5. ja 6.)
Teddy's West Coasters live
We Jazz 2015, Aleksanterin teatteri (Albertinkatu 32, Helsinki)
Mon 7 Dec at 19
On stage also: Vijay Iyer Trio (US) and M. A. Numminen
http://facebook.com/teddyrokofficial
http://suomenmusiikki.fi