The Joona Toivanen Trio represents a new generation in Finnish jazz. The trio had their public debut in 1997. Solid, grass-roots experience was acquired by performing weekly at Jazz Bar in the Finnish city of Jyväskylä.
The trio has become one of Finland’s most internationally successful jazz line-ups, with tours and appearances not only in Europe, but also in Australia and Asia. The trio won first prize in a Nordic jazz competition staged in Iceland in 2000. The trio’s pianist Joona Toivanen is nowadays active in Swedish jazz circles.
In April 2006 EMI Music Finland released the Joona Toivanen Trio’s third album internationally on the legendary Blue Note record label. The music of the Joona Toivanen Trio (Joona Toivanen piano, Tapani Toivanen bass and Olavi Louhivuori drums) is characterised by holistic compositions that are both dynamic and melodic. In the trio’s shared musical thinking melancholy tones are associated with joy.
Joona Toivanen (1981)
Graduated from the jazz programme of the Finnish Conservatory in 2002. Currently studies at the School of Music, Gothenburg University and at the Royal Academy Of Music in Stockholm, Sweden. Joona composes for and performs with several line-ups both in Finland and Sweden.
Tapani Toivanen (1982)
Has studied double bass at the Finnish Conservatory. Currently studies at Helsinki University of Technology. Besides performing with the trio and other groups he is also the artistic director of Polirytmi, the jazz group of tech students.
Olavi Louhivuori (1981) » www
Graduated from the jazz programme of the Finnish Conservatory in 2002. Currently studies at Sibelius Academy in Helsinki. Olavi is a member of several top class jazz ensembles, for example Ilmiliekki Quartet, the winner of the Young Nordic Jazz Comets Competition 2002, and his own group Oddarrang that released its debut album in 2006.