Martti Lappalainen, director
Born in 1941, started his first jazz band in the age of 14. Graduated from Sibelius Academy 1968. Started the first school jazz program in Finland in late sixties. With Tapiola Big Band to USA 1979 as the first Finnish Big Band ever. Founded EBB 1980. Since that performances with EBB at big international jazz festivals in Europe, USA, Australia and the Far East. The Jazz Musician of the Year 1985 in Finland. Director and founder of EBELI jazz school 1996. Latest concert tours with EBB in Australia and New Zealand in 1998 and in New Orleans in 2000.

Jukka Perko
Has an impressive career as a jazz musician by any form of measurement. Member of Dizzy Gillespie 70th Anniversary Big Band for 2 years. Appeared as soloist and with his own groups in more than 20 countries in Europe, USA, Australia and the Far East. Jazz Musician of the Year by the Finnish Jazz Federation 1989. His recording ” The Music of Olavi Virta” is the first Finnish release on the Blue Note record label.

Markus Holkko
Studies at Sibelius Academy Jazz Dept. Member of ”U-Street All Stars” (1st Prize and Best Soloist Award in Getxo jazz competition in Spain 2001). CD ”Helsinki Sessions” 2002 on Blue Note Finland label.

Manuel Dunkel
Studies in Sibelius Academy Jazz Dept., Member of UMO from 94. Pekka Pöyry saxophone award 1996. Own band ”Manuel Dunkel Quartet”. Concert in April Jazz EBU Festival -97 representing Finnish Broadcasting Company.

Esa Pietilä
Master’s degree in jazz in Sibelius Academy. Leader of a new Finnish group called The Case, which has recently released a debut album called ”Codes.” Long time member of EBB. Worked with UMO, Fiestecita etc.

Janne Murto
Plays all kind of reeds. Master’s degree from Sibelius Academy Jazz Dept. and diploma in classical flute. Studies in USA and Cuba. Own group ”Läpimurto” is releasing its own CD soon. Worked with Avanti!, conducted by Esa-Pekka Salonen, with Saxperiment, Trio Töykeät, UMO, Edward Vesala Sound & Fury, etc. Freelancer in studios, stage and tv. Recordings w. Tapiola Big Band, UMO, Trio Töykeät, Jukka Linkola, Avanti! and John Adams.

Matti Lappalainen
Studies in Sibelius Academy since 1985. Original member of the EBB. Sought after freelancer musician in tv, theatre and recording studios. Worked with Tapiola Sinfonietta, Avanti!, UMO, Salsamania, etc.

Pekka Laukkanen
Long time member of the EBB. Member of UMO, (tours w. Natalia Cole, Manhattan Transfer) Salsamania,etc. Sought after freelance musician in tv, recording studios and theatre.

Valtteri Malmivirta
Original member of the the EBB. Studies in Sibelius Academy, Helsinki and Royal College of Music ,London. Trombonist in Finnish National Opera Orch. since 1991, Avanti! since 1986.

Janne Laine
Master’s degree in Sibelius Academy 1992. Original member of the EBB. Freelancer in Radio Symphony Orch. UMO etc., Trombone teacher in Espoo Music Institute.

Lars Lindgren
A great Swedish lead trumpetist and solo performer. Permanent guest in the EBB’s trumpet section. Plays in Sandviken Big Band and in Danish Radio Big Band.

Mika Mylläri
Master’s degree in Sibelius Academy Jazz Dept. 1996. Studies also in New York and Paris 1993–96. Has recently been voted three times for the best jazz trumpetist in Finland by Finnish jazz magazine ” Jazzrytmit”. Long time member of the EBB. CD’s ”Heritages” (1992), and ”Les Ports” (1997) with own quintet MMQ.

Lenni-Kalle Taipale, piano
Belongs to jazz piano and keyboard elite in Finland . Artist of the Year 1997 by Pori Jazz. His first CD – “Nothing to Hide” 1998 – sold for the first Gold-CD in jazz in Finland. Concerts with his trio around the world. House band in tv-studios since 1999. Latest CD “ Reset” 2001 (Naxos). Member of EBB since 1998.

Eerik Siikasaari, bass
Graduated in Sibelius Academy 1987. Jazz Musician of the Year in Finland 1995. Was elected the jazz bass player of the year 1994, -95, -96 in Finland by the Finnish Jazz Federation. Original member of the EBB. Member of the most known Finnish small jazz groups like Trio Töykeät, Jukka Linkola Tentet, and Perko-Pyysalo Poppoo. 20 years of experience in theatre productions in Finland. The most booked bass player in Finnish jazz recordings.