Aki Rissanen
Finnish pianist Aki Rissanen (born 1980) has established himself on the international jazz scene. Described by Downbeat as a “European shooting star”, he has managed to make a name for himself in the top ranks of Northern European jazz pianists in a very short space of time. Classically trained, Rissanen has always been fascinated by improvisation. He has received international awards at the Montreux Jazz Festival and the La Defense Competition in France, among others. He has performed on stage with numerous renowned musicians and has played in most European countries, the USA, Japan, China, Mexico and North Africa.
Now Finnish pianist and composer Aki Rissanen returns with his new album Imaginary Mountains (release date: 12.09.2025 via Edition Records), a Nordic jazz statement characterized by rhythmic intensity, sonic exploration and emotional depth. Known for his acclaimed work with the Aki Rissanen Trio on albums such as Amorandom and Art in Motion, Rissanen continues to evolve and push the boundaries of form, space and expression.
Aki Rissanen Trio released their second album “Another North” in November 2017 on Edition Records. It is an ambitious and rhythmically intense album that raises Aki Rissanen Trio undeniably into the forefront of the entire European jazz field. At the moment they are touring internationally on a regular basis. The trio features Antti Lötjönen (b.1980) on bass and Teppo Mäkynen (b.1974) on drums. Both players are the most sought-after musicians in the Finnish scene. They are founding members of one of the most successful Finnish jazz acts, The Five Corners Quintet and they have collaborated with such names as Timo Lassy, Verneri Pohjola, Ilmiliekki Quartet, Jukka Eskola, Jukka Perko, Jeff ´Tain´ Watts, Nicola Conte, Ricky-Tick Big Band, Umo Jazz Orchestra among many others.
Aki Rissanen (b.1980) is one of the leading figures of Finnish jazz and a recognized voice in the European jazz scene. Originally classically trained, Rissanen has built an international reputation through his compelling trio work, adventurous solo projects, and collaborations with top-tier artists. He lived and worked in France for three years, during which he deepened his artistic development and expanded his international network.
His acclaimed debut album Amorandom (Edition Records, 2016) with the Aki Rissanen Trio received glowing reviews in The Guardian, Jazzwise, and Helsingin Sanomat, which named it “Best Jazz Album of the Year.” The album also earned the Finnish Grammy (Emma Award) for Best Jazz Album. The trio’s follow-up albums Another North (2017, Emma-nominated), Art in Motion (2019), Trio Live (2022), and Imaginary Mountains (2025) further established them as one of the most dynamic piano trios in European jazz. The trio features bassist Antti Lötjönen and drummer Teppo Mäkynen.
In 2021, Rissanen released his second solo piano album Divided Horizon on Edition Records, exploring the intersection of neo-classical minimalism, contemporary jazz, and early music influences. The album prominently features the Omniwerk—an experimental hybrid keyboard instrument inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s ideas and developed by Finnish instrument makers Jonte Knif and Jukka Ollikka. The instrument combines bowed and plucked sounds and evokes the spirit of da Vinci, whom Rissanen describes as a “rock star of his time.”
In 2023, Rissanen launched a new electro-acoustic trio, Hyperreal, with Verneri Pohjola on trumpet and Robert Ikiz on drums. Their debut album Hyperreal was released on Edition Records and showcases a richly textured fusion of acoustic jazz, ambient soundscapes, and rhythmic experimentation. The project adds an immersive and cinematic layer to Rissanen’s body of work, expanding his sonic palette into new territory.
In 2012, Rissanen composed the original soundtrack for the acclaimed Finnish animated short film Amorandom, a leading work in contemporary Finnish animation that merges abstract visual storytelling with modern jazz composition.
In 2016, his music was also featured in the Adventures in Moominvalley exhibition at the Southbank Centre in London. The exhibition introduced Rissanen’s work to a wider, multi-generational audience in a playful and immersive context.
Rissanen has won prizes in prestigious international competitions such as the Montreux Jazz Festival Solo Piano Competition and La Défense Jazz Competition in France. He holds a Master’s degree from the Sibelius Academy Jazz Department and has also studied at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique in Paris, and privately in New York and Cologne.
He has collaborated with renowned artists such as Dave Liebman, Rick Margitza, Randy Brecker, Nils Wogram, Verneri Pohjola, and the UMO Jazz Orchestra, and performed extensively across Europe, the USA, Japan, China, and North Africa.
In addition to his trio and solo work, Rissanen leads or co-leads multiple forward-thinking projects, including:
- Thou Shalt Worship the Rich and Famous – with Steven Kamperman
- Aleatoric – with Robin Verheyen and Markku Ounaskari
- Aki Rissanen // Jussi Lehtonen Quartet – featuring Dave Liebman
He also performs with France-based GRIO and The Designers, and Finnish ensembles including Kalmari Quartet with Kalle Kalima, Antti Lötjönen and Markku Ounaskari.
To date, Rissanen has released 18 albums as a leader or co-leader in the UK, USA, France, Sweden, and Finland.
Winner of the Emma Award, the Finnish Grammy for the best jazz album of 2016 (Amorandom) and nominee for the best jazz album in 2017 (Another North)
Another North was on ‘the best jazz record of 2017’ lists in Archaic Pop (UK), Argonauta Magazine (POR), Time Out (POR), Helsingin Sanomat (FI), Kohta Jazz (FI), Valon Kuvia (FI), Jazzpossu (FI)
Press quotes for Art In Motion:
“He delves into the murky, shifting sounds of glitch-hop and the trip realms of arpeggiator, tucking them under the jazz umbrella with very convincing results. 4 stars” BBC Music Magazine (UK)
“Art In Motion finds the Rissanen trio moving in many directions, all of them interesting.” Downbeat (US)
“Past, present and future don’t collide but smash together in one happy jumble through this trio’s splendid third outing.” All About Jazz (US)
Rich interplay and themes and moods more than AABA formats. Jazz Weekly (US)
“The Rissanen trio is an increasingly distinctive and individual unit whose music is very much their own and transcends these comparisons. “Art In Motion” is an impressive statement from a band that has successfully synthesised its influences and which is at the peak of its creative powers” The Jazz Mann (UK)
“les fondements d’une œuvre en trio composée de pièces riches en contrastes rythmiques.” Citizen Jazz (FR)
“Titre d’ouverture de ce nouvel opus, “Aeropeans” est à l’image de celui-ci: il marque notamment par l’inventivité et les nuances de la batterie” Le gri gri (FR)
“Aki Rissanen Trio’s debut Amorandom from 2016 won, among other things, an Emma, a Finnish Grammy, for best jazz album. The well-played and exciting music on Art in Motion will soon meet a similar fate.” Lira (SE)
