Panu Savolainen Toivo came to being in 2013 when the eponymous vibraphonist assembled a trio to perform Finnish master composer Toivo Kärki's compositions at the Helsinki Festival that year. Mostly arranged by Savolainen, Kärki's beloved pieces are transformed into atmospheric, instrumental jazz numbers in the hands of the stellar trio. Besides Savolainen, the group is composed of guitarist Teemu Viinikainen and bassist Jori Huhtala.

To honour Kärki's100th anniversary, Panu Savolainen Toivo released album Music By Toivo Kärki in March 2015. The recording is composed of favourite evergreens by Kärki in instrumental arrangements, topped off with three unreleased archival treasures, discovered with the help of Kärki's son, Kalervo Kärki. Two of these feature vocalists: "Syysyössä kahden" (1944), with lyrics penned by Kauko Käyhkö, sees Ninni Poijärvi on vocals, while "Aloha Wau Ia Oe" ("I Love You", in English) features a vocal performance by Yona, with lyrics completely rewritten by Matti Pitkänen. The third unreleased pearl, bearing the title "In the Running", dates back to the year 1939 and displays has an unmistakable jazz flavour.

 The release was followed by a Finnish tour.