Ad Lib Quintet

An interesting jazzband from Finland. Their music is fresh and original, and the band is highly skillful. The music could be described as modern cross-over jazz, with it's roots deeply in tradition. Their first record Jump, released 10.3.2001, got ecxellent reviews in the finnish music-press.

Vocalist Juki Välipakka has been nominated on years 1996-99 the best male vocalist in Finland by the critics-poll of the Jazzrytmit-magazine. He has studied with such singers as Madelinen Eastman, Christine Correa, Michelle Weir and, most of all, in Graz, Austria, with Mark Murphy. Juki is a skillful improviser who can not just scat, but to use different styles and impressions from different ethnical areas in his singing. A warm barytone-voice, he is good at interpreting ballads, latin, and fast be-bop songs. He also composes for this band.

László Süle, originally born in Hungary, is a pianovirtuoso, who also composes most of the bands material. His range of styles reaches from soft ballads to latin styles, modern classical, and wild polyrhythmical beats. A very emotional player, whos technic is amazing.

Pentti Lahti is one of the best known figures in Finnish jazz. 
A multi-woodwind-player who has been rewarded many times with the most valuable trophy in Finlands jazz-scene "Yrjö"-trophy. He also works with Eero Hämeenniemi in his "Nada"-band, receiving praising reviews all around the world. With a very wide range of styles his interpretations of the songs are such you can hear the meaning of the song.

Timo Roiko-Jokela is the drummer/percussionist who plays also mallets. With Ad Lib Quintet there is use for these different sounds. A skillfull player with big ears for the soloist and different moods.

Timo Tuppurainen is a young bass-virtuoso who has previously played for example with Lenni-Kalle Taipale Trio. Reliable bottom with fluent lines: he is an essential part on creating the sound of this band.