Saxophonist Manuel Dunkel (b. 1971) established his position as one of the prominent voices in the Finnish scene around the mid-1990s. Dunkel formed his own quartet in 1996, and to date he has released four albums with the group. He has been a member of the leading Finnish big band, UMO Jazz Orchestra, since 1994. He has also collaborated with such international names as Paul Jackson, Rick Margitza, Eric Truffaz and Kenny Wheeler.