Behind the Work: Tarmo Masters Rock’n’roll, Jazz and Blues

Over the years, Tarmo Lehtonen has played in dozens of bands. Photo: Timo Mikkonen

Tarmo Lehtonen, who works as a Senior Automation Engineer at Raumaster, has performed thousands of gigs over a career spanning more than 50 years. This year, the versatile part‑time musician took part in recording a full‑length album – an undertaking Raumaster was proud to support.

Long‑time bandmate Mika Haanpää describes Tarmo “Tare” Lehtonen as a musical all‑rounder who, in addition to playing bass, handles everything from gig sales and sound engineering to logistics.

Most recently, Lehtonen played bass on the Hamid Moeini Band’s album Towards Love Blues & Beyond, released in October 2025. The album features Hamid Moeini on guitar and vocals, with Haanpää on drums.

“We’ve been performing together with varying intensity over the years, but this was the first time we recorded our own material. The album is mostly rock and blues, with some shades of jazz mixed in,” Lehtonen says.

Although bass is closest to his heart today, the journey began with the guitar at the age of eight. Led Zeppelin, in particular, sparked a passion that still burns brightly.

“The bass is an accompanying and rhythmic instrument – you can really hear how the whole structure forms. Playing bass feels like building a foundation.”

The album release gig for the Hamid Moeini Band’s new record took place in October at Kulttuurikuppila Brummi in Rauma. The band consists of Tarmo Lehtonen (bass), Hamid Moeini (vocals and guitar) and Mika Haanpää (drums). Lehtonen's middle daughters Anne and Jaana performed as backing singers at the gig. Photo: Timo Mikkonen

From Led Zeppelin to Tapani Kansa and traditional Finnish Tango music festival

Over the years, Lehtonen has played in dozens of bands. At the moment, he performs with the children’s music group Sähköankerias, the dance‑music ensemble Fiilis Maximus, and a Led Zeppelin cover band called Finn Zeppelin. Between 2006 and 2018, he also performed in the backing bands of Tapani Kansa and Meiju Suvas, both legends of Finnish schlager music.

“It was demanding at times – we played on Estonian cruise ships from Sunday to Thursday with Meiju, and continued with Tapani from Friday to Saturday. In the 90s I played many gigs for Auraviihde and accompanied various vocalists at Tangomarkkinat, a traditional Finnish tango festival,” he recalls.

Out of thousands of gigs, choosing a single favourite is nearly impossible, but one memorable moment comes to mind from a performance with Vesa Alare & Lallit – a dance band.

“We were playing at Kollan Kalliopirtti in Rauma, and Jouko Mäkilä, Raumaster Group President, happened to be in the audience. He ended up helping us pack the gear afterwards.”

”A good gig happens when the playing flows and the audience is receptive – that creates a great feeling on both sides of the stage,” says Tarmo Lehtonen – the man of a thousand gigs. Photo: Timo Mikkonen

A workplace that enables a part‑time musician’s career

Lehtonen gives credit to his employer for enabling his part‑time music career – especially for supporting the making of the latest album.

“There have been gigs in the middle of the week, and I’ve always been able to take time off when needed. Sometimes I’ve arrived home from a gig late at night and come straight to work afterwards,” he says with a smile.

Outside music, his other passion is cars – buying, restoring and selling them. Over the past ten years, around 30 vehicles have passed through his hands. And naturally, he has a van at home for transporting gear.

“I’ve restored one motorbike and three cars to museum‑inspection level. Working with cars means you get to use your hands, and seeing the finished result always feels great.”

Listen to the Hamid Moeini Band’s album on Spotify.