b. 1974
Mikko Pettinen graduated from the Sibelius Academy and was chosen as the best soloist at the prestigious Getxo contest for groups whilst his band, MP4, won the “unofficial European championship” at the contest (Jazz Getxo Live, Hilargi 2002). Another one of his personal, international merits is the second prize that he received at the 2001 Carmine Caruso International Jazz Trumpet Competition for young soloists in Reno, United States.
The debut album of MP4, Central Playa (Impala), was released in 2004. The album was nominated for the Jazz Emma Prize, and the critics of Jazzrytmit magazine chose it as the jazz album of the year.
Pettinen’s first solo album 2Happy was released in 2013. He has composed, arranged, produced and partly also written lyrics to the entire album and he performs on the album as a singer, keyboardist and trumpet player. Pettinen leads also his 10-member Happy People. The band’s album Nothing Can Stop My Spirit was released in 2016. He also performs in Funky Finns band formed around Happy People. Band’s first release, United We Stand, was made entirely remotely during the corona lockdown in spring 2020, and featured guest soloist from six different countries. In addition to the bands mentioned above, this active musician leads also his group Why Not, whose debut double Two Suites For The Change was released in 2020, with album release tour and the Finnish Jazz Federation tour around the country.
Pettinen has performed in various ensembles (including Son Sabroson and Electromagnetique) and, because of his open-minded attitude, he has also performed live with Jimi Tenor and played on the albums of other Finnish popular music artists including Kerkko Koskinen, Paleface, HTBT, Jonna, Redrama and Anssi Kela. The versatile and charismatic musician is also sought after in big bands and has played, in addition to the UMO Jazz Orchestra, in the European Broadcasting Union Big Band and the Nat Newborn Big Time Orchestra. Pettinen has also played with different gospel bands (f.e. Soul Connections, Soflow, Katajainen), Finnish hip hop artist Axl Smith and the vocal group The Peripherials.
Mikko Pettinen has been conducting and planning UMO’s Soul Night productions. He has also composed and arranged different styles of music from children’s music to pop, soul and gospel. He also teaches trumpet playing in Espoo Music Institute (Ebeli).
www.mikkopettinen.com
Mikko Pettinen Happy People
www.facebook.com/MikkoPettinenWhyNot