Biography
Mango Machine was founded in 1986 in Kokkola, Finland, when a group of young players got together to play fusion jazz, a style of music that was not so popular at that time. Our influences comprised of musicians and bands like Chick Corea, Mezzoforte, Yellowjackets, Koinonia and the Rippingtons.
Soon a set of songs was composed and arranged, and we needed gigs. In the early 1990?s we took part in many major jazz-festivals in Finland, such as Kainuun Jazzkevät, Pori Jazz and Kaamosjazz (several times). We even played a warm-up gig for Tomas Ledin in Kokkola, which was also broadcast on TV.
In 1992 the band played its last concert, after that families, work and studies put the band on hold. We never quit, we just had an extended vacation, like The Eagles said, so we were hoping to play together once more. So, after 10 years, in the summer of 2006 we decided to put the band together again, added with a couple of new players. After 12 long years, we played live again in our home town, and what a warm welcome we got! We continued our gigs later the same year in Tankavaara, Lapland, at Kaamosjazz-festival. And now, finally, our first album is ready!
Mango Machine's repertoire consists of both original songs and cover tunes.
Matts Helén drums
Peter Friis percussion
Kari Rintala bass
Tommi Peltola keyboards, vocals
Jukka Rajaniemi guitar
Tommi Skytte trumpet, flugelhorn
Jonas Rintala saxophone, EWI
