Pianist and composer Alexi Tuomarila has been selected as Pori Jazz Artist of the Year 2025. He is also a doctoral researcher at the University of the Arts, where he is conducting artistic research on controlled freedom in jazz pianism.
Alexi Tuomarila’s modern melodic jazz has been recognised both nationally and internationally. He has been awarded prizes at several international festivals and competitions, including in Monaco, Spain, Belgium and France. He has also performed extensively around the world – not only in Europe but also in the USA and Japan.
In Finland, Tuomarila won the Jazz Emma Award for his album Sphere in 2019. Alexi Tuomarila has an impressive list of international playing partners. He played with Polish trumpet legend Tomasz Stanko for ten years and also recorded with him for the ECM label.
In its selection criteria, Pori Jazz notes that Alexi Tuomarila’s trio has achieved widespread acclaim on the European jazz scene, and albums such as Seven Hills, Kingdom and Sphere have confirmed his status as one of the most important pianists of his generation. Tuomarila’s latest album, Departing the Wasteland, continues this trajectory, exploring themes of inner change and renewal with a sound that transcends the boundaries of contemporary jazz.
Alexi Tuomarila’s trio toured Japan in the spring for the release of the new album. The upcoming Pori Jazz concert will be the first time the songs from the album will be performed in Finland.
Alexi Tuomarila will perform at Lokkilava in the main concert of Pori Jazz on Saturday 19 July. His band includes acclaimed US bassist Reuben Rogers, top Portuguese guitarist André Fernandes and trusted drummer Olavi Louhivuori.