Martti Vesala
Helsinki-based jazz trumpeter and composer Martti Vesala (b. 1981) is an acclaimed instrumentalist, composer and pedagogue.

Vesala is a Sibelius Academy graduate, having studied in the Nordic Master in Jazz programme under the instruction of today’s leading jazz trumpetists, such as Tim Hagans, Gerard Presencer, Laurie Frink and Peter Asplund. A creative and experienced composer, Vesala has written original music for nearly two decades for ensembles of all sizes, ranging from quintet to big band. His original compositions contain catchy melodies supported by lush harmonies and the rhythmic layers of Afro-American heritage of jazz. As a trumpet player, Vesala’s style is influenced by Miles Davis, Freddie Hubbard and Woody Shaw, in addition to the more modern stylings of Dave Douglas and Kenny Wheeler.

Vesala is the leader of Martti Vesala Soundpost Quintet, a group comprised of crème de la crème of finnish jazz musicians. The group’s music consists entirely of Vesala’s compositions, reflecting his long time admiration of Wayne Shorter’s music and the groove of the 1960’s Miles Davis Quintet. Signed to German Ozella Music label, the group has two albums in the market, “Helsinki Soundpost” and “Stars Aligned”. Their third album will be released November 4th 2022.

Other ensembles include the nordic jazz group Maratone Quintet, active years 2007-2014. With Maratone Quintet, Vesala performed extensively in Finland and Estonia, playing at numerous jazz-clubs, concert halls and jazz festivals. The quintet appeared at the Dølajazz 2010 festival, organized in Lillehammer, Norway. In 2010, they represented Finland in the finals of the Getxo International Jazz Group Competition in Spain. Maratone Quintet produced and recorded two albums: Setting Out (Free Agent Records 2008) and Finding the Way (Prophone 2012).

Vesala’s big band compositions have been performed by UMO Jazz Orchestra, Klüver’s Big Band (Aarhus, Denmark), The Big Band of The Royal Academy of Music (Stockholm, Sweden) and Jyväskylä Big Band. He has been a finalist of the Esko Linnanvalli Big Band composition competition 3 times: in July 2011 with an original composition “Subconstellation”, in November 2013 with “Rhododendron” and in 2015 with “Piper’s Park”.

Vesala also works actively as a freelance musician with such groups as Njet Njet 9, The Soul Investigators and Josu Mämmi trio. He also performs occasionally in the ranks of UMO Jazz Orchestra, Espoo Big Band, Sibelius Academy Alumni Big Band, musicals produced by the Helsinki City Theatre and numerous other projects.