Ricky-Tick Big Band

(FIN)

big band jazz with swing & cinematic influence

“I didn’t set out to re-invent the big band sound, but started to compose in the spirit of early 40’s Ellington tailoring each song to its soloists. To get in the mood I also listened to a lot of Benny Goodman and Jimmie Lunchford, and you can probably hear some Henry Mancini in some songs, because he is one of my favourite composers”, band leader Valtteri Pöyhönen says of his new orchestra that he hand-picked from the musicians on the red hot Ricky-Tick label.

The brand new eponymous debut album of this band, which really are proud of its heritage, sounds juicy in such a way that the late great Duke surely beams upstairs. The compositions are brimming with drama and occasionally seducing soundtracky atmosphere, as you might expect from Pöyhönen, who came to international fame with his Dalindeo band playing “cinematic jazz”. Ricky-Tick Big Band is made of superb players, who Valtteri knows from before, so the solos and ensemble playing burn with a hunger that some people might not associate with big band music. That’s why we recommend RTBB especially for them.