Pianist Joonas Haavisto has been selected among the artists to represent the world-famous piano brand Steinway. The title aims at acknowledging high-class pianists and improving their working conditions and giving boost to their careers. Haavisto is the first Finnish jazz pianist to receive the title, joining such celebrated colleagues as Vladimir Horowitz, Artur Rubinstein, Lang Lang, Keith Jarrett, Ahmad Jamal, Brad Mehldau sekä Robert Glasper.
Pianist and composer Joonas Haavisto (b. 1982) is an award-winning, internationally recognised Finnish jazz musician. He has recorded with numerous groups and performed at famous clubs and festivals in Europe, North America and Japan.
Haavisto, who is well on his way to international stardom, has so far released three albums with his trio: Blue Waters, Micro to Macro and oku. In addition to Scandinavia, their third release, oku (2016), came out in Japan, Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The acclaimed disc features the track “Frozen”, which made it to top 10 of Apple Music’s chart of best jazz compositions of 2016-2016, and it was met with 5-star reviews in several international jazz media and magazines.
Besides trio, the pianist has performed as a soloist for a number of chamber orchestras, including the Lapland Chamber Orchestra and the Ostrobothnian Chamber Orchestra. His music features in the film Hymyilevä mies by Juho Kuosmanen, which was awarded in the category of Un Certain Regard at Cannes Film Festival last year.
Haavisto is also a notable solo pianist. He won the Jazz Improvizacija Competition in Vilnius in 2006, and was one of the semi-finalists in the Nottingham International Jazz Piano Competition in 2010. His CV includes collaborations with a number of celebrated jazz musicians in Finland and North America.
The pianist avows himself as the fan of Steinway & Sons, regarded as the best piano brand of the world, since childhood. “One of the most memorable moments was when the great master Murray Perahia visited Kokkola in the late 90s as the soloist for the Ostrobothnia Chamber Orchestra. For days I wondered how it was possible to make the grand piano sing so beautifully. Last year, I was privileged to witness two legendary jazz pianists – Keith Jarrett in Brussels and Brad Mehldau in Turku – play solo. Both concerts featured a Steinway.”
“It is a great honour to join the league of Steinway Artists. This also gives me a chance to spread the message of Finnish jazz and its high quality.”
In addition to performing at a number of festivals this summer, Haavisto will give a solo concert in September at the Steinway Piano Gallery, Helsinki.
”One of the most talented pianists of his generation.” – Tobias Rapp, Der Spiegel
”One of the best piano trios in Europe.” – Sebastian Meissner, Sounds&Books
”A stunning pianist. Every tune sounds excellent!" – Takashi Kubota, Jazz Japan
”Latest masterpiece from the fast rising Nordic Star.” – Jazz Critiques Magazine
”This trio's real thrill lies in its unique balance and those breathtaking moments in their nuanced playing.” – Toshiaki Uemura, CD Journal
“This debut set is a delight from start to finish.” – Tim Stenhouse, ukvibe