Samuli Mikkonen

The most Finnish-sounding pianist of his generation, Samuli Mikkonen commenced studying the piano and the violin at the age of seven. With further studies at the Sibelius Academy Jazz Department, he has rapidly risen to one of the top-ranking local keyboard stylists. With his unmistakably Nordic tone, Mikkonen has awakened the interest of local bandleaders such as Jouni Järvelä, Jari Perkiömäki and Mika Mylläri.In 1996 Mikkonen founded his own trio in cahoots with Ulf Krokfors and Mika Kallio. The group's critically-acclaimed 'Korpea kuunnellessa' followed two years later, and proved to be one of the strongest and most mature debut albums of Nordic jazz history.Ever since those days, the threesome has continued pushing the envelope through selected live performances. The Samuli Mikkonen Trio's thoroughly Finnish sonorities were recognised in 2001 by Sakari Kukko, who hired the team to back him up for the lauded and successful hymn album 'Virret'.With a sound rooted deep in the nature of Finland, Mikkonen has taken his place among the leading Scandinavian improvisers. As proven by the magnificent 'KOM * Live' (2000) and 'Samuli Mikkonen & 7 henkeä' (2003), he can hold his own both in the small and large band environment. On all of his recordings as a leader, Mikkonen utilizes top Nordic musicians like drummer Audun Kleive, bassist Anders Jormin, and saxophonist Juhani Aaltonen and Kari “Sonny” Heinilä.© Petri Silas 2005