Biography
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:
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Thou Shalt Worship the Rich and Famous – with Steven Kamperman
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Aleatoric – with Robin Verheyen and Markku Ounaskari
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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
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DISCOGRAPHY
as a leader / co-leader
2025 IMAGINARY MOUNTAINS, Aki Rissanen Trio, Edition Records, UK
2025 THOU SHALT WORSHIP THE RICH AND FAMOUS, Aki Rissanen & Steven Kamperman, Eclipse Music, FI
2023 HYPERREAL, Aki Rissanen, Verneri Pohjola, Robert Ikiz, Edition Records, UK
2022 TRIO LIVE, Aki Rissanen Trio, Edition Records, UK
2021 DIVIDED HORIZON, Aki Rissanen Solo, Edition Records, UK
2019 ART IN MOTION, Aki Rissanen Trio, Edition Records, UK
2019 IKIZAKI EP, Aki Rissanen – Robert Ikiz Duo, Stockholm Jazz Records, SE
2017 ANOTHER NORTH, Aki Rissanen Trio, Edition Records, UK
2017 ALEATORIC: SONGS FOR SOLSTICE, with Robin Verheyen and Markku Ounaskari, Eclipse Music, FI
2016 AMORANDOM, Aki Rissanen Trio, Edition Records, UK
2015 AKI RISSANEN // JUSSI LEHTONEN QUARTET WITH DAVE LIEBMAN, Ozella Music, DE
2014 STURM, Aki Rissanen Solo, Ilma Records, SE
2013 ALEATORIC, with Robin Verheyen and Markku Ounaskari, Eclipse Music, FI
2009 BEAUTIFUL ANXIETY, Aki Rissanen Trio + Rick Margitza & Magnus Broo, KSJAZZ, US
2008 SEMPLICE, Duo with Robin Verheyen, Alba Records, FI
2007 LA LUMIÉRE NOIRE, Aki Rissanen Solo, Aeon / Ilma Records, FR
2004 WARP!: ONE NOTE STORIES with Verneri Pohjola, Eeppi Ursin and Joonas Riippa, KHY, FI