Born 1960, drummer, pianist, composer and jazz Professor Jukkis Uotila’s international career is, for a European musician, somewhat unique. His subtle but explosive drumming and versatile musicianship has enabled him to produce three CD’s featuring his compositional talents: Introspection (Polydor/Fnac), Avenida (Stunt) and Jukkis Uotila Band Live (Stunt) and in addition the co-led Fast Company with Jerry Bergonzi on Blue Jackel label, and Hunters and Gatherers with Dave Liebman on DoubleTime Records. Along with his compositions, Jukkis’s subtle pianism can be heard on Meninas (Spice of Life). His writing for big band can be heard on Jukkis Uotila & The Stockholm Jazz Orchestra (KSJazz). In total, Uotila appears on more than 90 recordings.

His performances as a leader of his own small groups have included such luminous sidemen as Randy Brecker, Bob Mintzer, John Scofield, Mike Stern, Bob Berg, Wayne Krantz, Dave Liebman, Anders Jormin, Jim Beard, Jerry Bergonzi, Joey Calderazzo, Lars Danielsson, Tim Hagans, Dick Oatts and others. Widely adaptable stylistically, Uotila is also known for his international free-lance work with such varied names as: Toots Thielemans, Randy Brecker, Eliane Elias, Mike Stern, Joe Henderson, McCoy Tyner, Benny Goodman, Chet Baker, Freddie Hubbard, Joe Lovano, Jack McDuff, Gil Evans, Maria Schneider, Tim Hagans, Billy Cobham and Joey Calderazzo.

He also possesses a vast big band playing experience, having been associated extended periods with the Stockholm Jazz Orchestra (since 1992) and the Finnish UMO Jazz Orchestra (1986-93) that he also often conducted. In addition, he has made numerous visits with other fine orchestras such as the WDR Big Band, Norrbotten Big Band, the NDR Big Band, Toshiko Akiyoshi/Lew Tabackin Big Band, the SWR Big Band, the Bohuslän Big Band and the Swedish Radio Jazz Group.

Uotila’a piano playing is on equal level with his drumming. He has performed as a pianist with, among others, Billy Cobham, Billy Hart, Ignacio Berroa, Bob Mintzer, the Stockholm Jazz Orchestra and Randy Brecker, who marvelled: “Was I thrown in for a loop! I thought it was Herbie back there playing!” Aptly, Uotila's most recent release "The Herbie Hancock Legacy" (KSJAZZ) celebrates the famed pianist's compositional works.

In addition to performing and appearing on recordings, Uotila is a pioneering jazz music pedagogue. Most of the country’s jazz musicians already for two generations have been his students at the Sibelius Academy, which makes his pedagogic contribution to the Finnish jazz scene crucial. He was appointed the head of the Academy’s Jazz Department in 1986, and in 1994 he became the first professor of jazz music in Scandinavia. “Guided by his strong vision and aided by his international contacts, he single-handedly raised the academy into one of the best institutes of jazz education in Europe.” (Finnish Jazz 2002)

In 2011, Uotila was awarded with the prestigious State Music Prize by the cultural minister of Finland, Paavo Arhinmäki, who called Jukkis “Internationally the most respected Finnish jazz musician ever”.

Today, Uotila leads his own groups both on drums and piano. As a sideman he has in recent years played drums with Tim Hagans, Joey Calderazzo and Stockholm Jazz Orchestra, and piano and keyboards with Randy Brecker, Ignacio Berroa and Billy Cobham.

ed. Annamari Innanen 1.4.2015