Jussi Kannaste (b. 1976) took up the saxophone as a teenager in Juva and continued studying the instrument at Savonlinna Art High School. A couple of years at the Pop & Jazz Conservatory and Metropolia paved the way for the Sibelius Academy jazz department, where Kannaste started in 1998. He graduated with a master's degree in jazz music in 2005 and in the same year he was also awarded the SONY jazz award. After graduation, his active bands were Kannaste-Ojajärvi Quintet, Kannaste-Olding 4 and KVR (Kannaste-Vinikainen-Riippa).

In 2007 Kannaste started as a lecturer at the Sibelius Academy jazz department and since 2009 he has also been the head of the jazz department In addition to teaching, Kannaste is an active freelancer on the Finnish jazz field. His wide-ranging expertise and broad-mindedness have led him to the following bands: Antti Lötjönen Quintet East, Jori Huhtala Basis, Jaska Lukkarinen Trio, 3TM, Ricky-Tick Big Band, Mikko Innanen 10+, Espoo Big band, Jori Huhtala 3, Talambo, Valtteri Laurell Nonet, Olli Ahvenlahti New Quintet, Sami Linna Quartet and Umo Helsinki Jazz Orchestra to name a few.

Kannaste has released three albums as a co-leader. In addition to these, he appears on more than 40 albums as a sideman. In April 2025, his new group, Kannaste4, released its debut album Out of Self and Into Others via We Jazz record label. The quartet consists of Tomi Nikku (trp), Joonas Riippa (drs) and Petter Eldh (bass).