b.1971
Manuel Dunkel is one of the main saxophonists in Finland. His expression is characterised by rich saxophone sounds, melodic improvisation, and strong jazz rhythms. Dunkel’s expression benefits from the whole tradition of jazz saxophone playing, with John Coltrane being his main influence. Dunkel’s intensive playing has become known to jazz audiences since the first half of the 1990’s, and he has been active in various line-ups including Jukka Perko Hurmio-Orkesteri, Groove Convention, Quartet Coyote, Espoo Big Band (from 1994), and Platypus Ensemble (from 1997).
Dunkel has played on nearly 30 jazz records and performed in Finland, other European countries, US, Australia, South Korea, Japan, China, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. Especially close to his heart, in addition to his own orchestra, is Platypus Ensemble with which he has recorded five albums and performed in Central Europe (Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, and France) on several occasions.
In 1996 Dunkel was awarded the Pekka Pöyry Saxophone Prize.
Since 1996 Dunkel has led his own quartet and made three albums (in 1998, 2001, 2006). The Manuel Dunkel Quartet has toured Finland several times, including the Finnish Jazz Federation’s tour in 1997, and performed in the main jazz festivals such as April Jazz and Pori Jazz. He has also performed with his quartet at jazz festivals in Greece, Morocco, France and Serbia. In 2004 Dunkel performed in five Tokyo jazz clubs as a soloist for a Japanese trio and quartet.
Dunkel has performed with many international jazz names including Paul Jackson, Rick Margitza, Eric Truffaz and Kenny Wheeler.
The pianist-composer Sid Hille composed a saxophone concerto for Dunkel, string orchestra and percussion instruments. The concerto, ”Time Freeze”, premiered in Helsinki in 2009.
Dunkel has composed music for his own orchestras, the ‘a cappella’ vocal group JimJamMurMur, the female choir of Helsinki School of Economics, and for string quartets.
In 2004 Dunkel graduated with a Master of Music at Sibelius Academy’s Department of Jazz Music where he currently teaches saxophone and jazz ensemble.
Most recent recordings:
2010 – Manuel Dunkel: A Step Forward, Texicalli TEXCD104
2009 – UMO on UMO, UMOCD109
2009 – Sid Hille: “Time Freeze”, Concerto for tenor saxophone, string orchestra and percussion. Soloist: Manuel Dunkel
2008 – Platypus Ensemble & Proton String Quartet: Rite of Passage, Satna Music
2007 – Manuel Dunkel: Darn That Dream, KS JAZZ
2007 – Platypus Ensemble: Life@Play, Satna Music
2007 – George Kontrafouris: Little Daddy´s Blues, Chicken Coup Records
2005 – UMO: Sauna palaa!, UMOCD007
2004 – Quartet Coyote: TRJVK + voc. Texicalli TEXCD060
2002 – Groove Convention: Butter, Texicalli TEXCD 046
2002 – Manu Dunkel Quartet: Manuscript, Texicalli/Impala 006