Joonatan Rautio

The tenor saxophonist Joonatan Rautio is well known for his virtuosity and his soloistic strength and vitality. His musical background is firmly rooted in the jazz tradition. Joonatan makes a strong statement, both rhythmically and harmonically.
He has performed with many top Finnish and International musical artists, including Jim Beard, Randy Brecker, Jon Balke, Jukkis Uotila, Lars Danielsson, Anders Jormin, Ron McClure and Finland's UMO Jazz Orchestra. He has also led many of his own groups.
He has performed on dozens of recordings, covering many different styles of music, and has contributed countless arrangements of his own to these efforts. Joonatan has also performed the role of producer for several recordings. Casually he plays the keys and the organ cheering up the audience with his great competence with gospel and rhythm'n blues.
Joonatan Rautio was received the Finnish Saxophone Society's Josef Kaartinen award in 1999. In the year 2000, he won the Pekka Pöyry prize, and the next year he was named Pori Jazz Artist of the Year for 2001.
He completed his studies at the Sibelius Academy in 2003, receiving a master's degree in jazz music. Before that he studied at Helsinki's Pop/Jazz Conservatory (now the Helsinki Polytechnic, Pop/Jazz department) from 1993-95.
Now he teaches saxophone at the Sibelius Academy.