Alexi Tuomarila

Finnish pianist Alexi Tuomarila is a dynamic force in 21st century European jazz; he is widely known for a virtuoso technique and compelling compositions. Since 2006 he's led the Alexi Tuomarila Trio, that includes bassist Mats Eilertsen and drummer Olavi Louhivouri in addition to other groups. He also served as pianist in the Tomasz Stanko Quintet and New York Quartet, Drifter, and the Eero Koivistoinen Quartet. Tuomarila's intricate, idiosyncratic style crosses post-bop, modern classical music, modal music, progressive jazz, and structured, often melodic improvisation. He cut Voices of Pohjola, his leader debut, with a quartet. In 2006 he debuted his long-running piano trio and issued Constellation on Jazzaway. Its reception was buoyed by the trio's stage performances. After signing to Edition Records, they released Seven Hills (2013), Kingdom (2017), and Sphere (2019). For 2024's Departing the Wasteland, he expanded the trio to a sextet that included saxophones, trombone, electric guitar, and synthesizer.