Aki Rissanen, b. 1980, is a Finnish pianist and composer. Although classically trained, Rissanen has always had a heart for improvisation and jazz. He has studied at the Sibelius Academy Jazz Department in Helsinki and at the Conservatoire National Superiour de Music in Paris with Jarmo Savolainen, Jukkis Uotila, Hérve Sellin and John Taylor among others.
Rissanen plays in numerous Finnish jazz ensembles, most often also with the prominent UMO Jazz Orchestra. He realeased his debut album as a leader 2005, entitled "One Note Stories" and 2008 saw his first solo piano effort "La Lumière Noire". The album was released by a newfound Finnish jazz label Ilma ('Air') which collaborates with the French label AEON. Among other things he's concocted the debut release of electro-jazz group Reactor-5 entitled "Leisure Music". In 2009 Rissanen will release his trio debut featuring Rick Margitza and Magnus Broo on an American label KSJAZZ and his duo effort with Robin Verheyn entitled "Semplice" on a Finnish Alba-label.
Rissanen is renowned both domestically and internationally, trophys and prizes granted by, for example, the 2nd prize at the Montreux Jazz Festival Solo Piano Competition in 2004 in Switzerland and the prize for the best soloist at La Defense Competition in Paris, France.
He has been involved in both classical music and jazz all along, with the two styles interacting. In addition to playing music, Aki has composed music for years, with the courage to trust his own style. Aki believes in intuitive playing and the power of music that is created when musicians open their ears and trust one another.
Discography
- Aki Rissanen: Beautiful Anxiety w/ Rick Margitza and Magnus Broo (TBA, KSJAZZ. USA 2009)
- Aki Rissanen- Robin Verheyen Duo: Semplice (TBA, Alba Records, Finland 2009)
- Aki Rissanen Solo Piano: La Lumière Noire ( Ilma Records/ AEON, France, 2008)
- Verneri Pohjola: Aurora ( Texicalli 2009)
- Jussi Lehtonen Septet ( Texicalli 2009)
- SuomiSolmu: Facelift ( Long Play Records 2009)
- Reactor-5: Leisure Music (Suomen Musiikki, 2008)
- Jukka Eskola Quintet: Hub Up (Stride/Inpartmaint Japan, 2006)
- Warp!: One Note Stories (Dps Records/Aki Rissanen, 2005)
- Eeppi Ursin Band: Violet (6th sense Records, 2005)
- Aki Rissanen Solo Piano: Montreux Jazz Festival Solo Piano Competition (Montreux Jazz, 2004)
- Rauno Tikkanen Quartet: Foolin' Myself (HKY CD, 1998)
"(Aki Rissanen was one who)... had that indefinable quality suggesting they were on to something promising and personal. Finland’s Rissanen, the only solo performer at the festival. In a recital which was one of the high points of the festival, he proved to be a gifted pianist and natural improviser whose exquisite impressionism, whether in composition or in his three spontaneous improvisations, reflected the influence of classical harmony, particularly French models like Messaien and Debussy." -Irish Times, Feb 17th 2009.
“I've had a chance to savour your music and am delighted - really beautiful, engaging." -Michael Gibbs.
”Ce jeune homme vaut le voyage d’Helsinki…” – Jean-Pierre Frigo, La Tribune.
"I enjoyed Aki Rissanen's performance very much." - Lee Konitz at Montreux Jazz Festival 2004.
"The most convincing young piano player in Finland." -Jukka Hauru, Helsingin Sanomat, The biggest newspaper in Finland.
The music on the player:
Beautiful Anxiety (w/ Magnus Broo, Antti Lötjönen, Ville Pynssi) from Beautiful Anxiety, KSJAZZ 09.
Ambience (w/ Robin Verheyen) from Semplice, Alba 09.
Depeche-toi Lentement from La Lumiere Noire, AEON/Ilma 08.
Vraiment Desolèe (w/ Rick Margitza, Antti Lötjönen, Ville Pynssi) from Before & after, KSJAZZ 09.
Semplice and Duo Improvisation (w/ R. V.) from Semplice, Alba 09.
In Aki's profile picture: Our hero posing next to his award-winning artwork "Helsinki 2005" in the Finnish Urban Culture Festival held in Kontula, Hki.
Kiitti kaveruudesta! Oon tässä vähän kuunnelut noita kappaleitasi, ja ei voi muuta kun antaa rispektiä. Hullua pianonsoittoa, noilla taidoilla voi tehdä mitä tahansa, ei ole kuin taivas rajana. Luinkin tossa että olet melko menestynyt pianisti, taputan.
