The Joona Toivanen Trio
Joona Toivanen – piano, Tapani Toivanen – bass, Olavi Louhivuori – drums, plays contemporary, intelligent, versatile, and above all lyrical jazz.
This is one of the most promising and talented young jazz ensembles coming out of Finland during the past 12 years. They have a skilful grip on the art of improvisation and know how to deliver a great mix of original compositions with superb musicianship, and do so at times with a melancholic Nordic vibe and often with an air of gladness and joy laced through their material. The music of Joona Toivanen Trio is considered lyrical and elegant but equally strongly individual and daring and has its genesis in the Finnish nature and draws from the its rich epic and folk tradition.
Active since 1997, this ambitious young threesome have an unassuming and natural attitude to their playing, and today are considered one of the most internationally successful young jazz groups in Finland. They have performed in Europe, Australia and Asia at key festivals and exotic music spots, and are enjoying a wonderful reception wherever they go. The Trio won first prize in the Nordic jazz competition in Iceland in 2000.
The Trio back in the year 2000
The Trio
Joona Toivanen (1981) - piano
Graduated from the master’s program in improvisation of the School of Music, Gothenburg University in 2008. Joona lives in Gothenburg, Sweden and composes for and performs with several line-ups both in Finland and Sweden.
Tapani Toivanen (1982) - bass
Has studied double bass at the Finnish Conservatory and graduated from Helsinki University of Technology. Tapani lives currently in Copenhagen and works as a freelance bass player and composer.
Olavi Louhivuori (1981) - drums
Olavi is a member of several top class jazz ensembles, including the Tomasz Stanko quintet, Ilmiliekki Quartet, the winner of the Young Nordic Jazz Comets Competition 2002, and his own group Oddarrang.