Ilmari Heikinheimo drummer/composer Drummer/composer Ilmari Heikinheimo (b.1988) is one of the most promising upcoming talents in the field of finnish modern jazz and improvised music, who despite his young age has already worked with many major artist in his home country. Combining polyrythmical and rubato phrasing in his explosively dynamic and sensitive style, Heikinheimo brings melodic dimensions to his drumming, as well as a keen sense of tonal color.

Originally a classical flutist from the age of six, Heikinheimo became interested on drums at nine. After having his first lessons from the legendary Edward Vesala at ten, there was no turning back from the path Heikinheimo has maintained since. Later, Heikinheimo has studied in Pop & Jazz Consrevatory, Sibelius-Academy and Metropolia University of Applied Science. After having played his first professional gig at age of 16 in group led by saxophonist Esa Pietilä, Heikinheimo has collaborated in different line-ups with the likes of saxophonist/flutists Jorma Tapio, Pepa Päivinen, Tane Kannisto, Jone Takamäki, Sakari Kukko, guitarists Raoul Björkenheim, Jimi Sumen and Hjilmar Jensson(IS); bassists Uffe Krokfors, Sampo Lassila and Antti Hytti; trumpeters Antero Priha, Mika Mylläri and Verneri Pohjola among others. One of the most important projects for Heikinheimo in the past few years has been the drummer’s spot in the new version of Vesala’s Sound Fury reformed in 2010, which has a new album coming out in 2013 with unreleased pieces by Vesala, arranged by Iro Haarla.

At the moment, Heikinheimo is working in several groups, such as a new trio with quitarist Raoul Björkeheim and bassist Ville Rauhala, a quartet “Pohjan Pojat” featuring some new up and coming talents, and an experimental chamber music trio “Kadotettujen Paratiisi” ("Paradise of the doomed") which performs improvisational pieces by composer Ville Vokolainen, featuring multi reedman/flutist Jorma Tapio and classical accordionist Harri Kuusijärvi. Heikinheimo has also worked recently as a freelance-musician/composer with groups like Black Motor, New Garden Orchestra, Astro Can Caravan, Afrocola and a progressive rock band The Fogo Posto.