Finnish pianist Aki Rissanen has recorded seven albums for Edition, six with his long standing trio comprised of bassist Antti Lötjönen and drummer Teppo Mäkynen
Aki Rissanen (b.1980) is one of the leading figures of Finnish jazz and a recognized voice in the European jazz scene. Originally classically trained, Rissanen has built an international reputation through his compelling trio work, adventurous solo projects, and collaborations with top-tier artists such as Dave Liebman on German Ozella Music and Verneri Pohjola on Edition Records and on ACT Music in Germany. He lived and worked in France for three years, during which he deepened his artistic development and expanded his international network.
His acclaimed debut album Amorandom (Edition Records, 2016) with the Aki Rissanen Trio received glowing reviews in The Guardian, Jazzwise, and Helsingin Sanomat, which named it “Best Jazz Album of the Year.” The album also earned the Finnish Grammy (Emma Award) for Best Jazz Album. The trio’s follow-up albums Another North (2017, Emma-nominated), Art in Motion (2019), Trio Live (2022), and Imaginary Mountains (2025) further established them as one of the most dynamic piano trios in European jazz. The trio features bassist Antti Lötjönen and drummer Teppo Mäkynen.
In 2021, Rissanen released his second solo piano album Divided Horizon on Edition Records, exploring the intersection of neo-classical minimalism, contemporary jazz, and early music influences. The album prominently features the Omniwerk—an experimental hybrid keyboard instrument inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s ideas and developed by Finnish instrument makers Jonte Knif and Jukka Ollikka. The instrument combines bowed and plucked sounds and evokes the spirit of da Vinci, whom Rissanen describes as a “rock star of his time.”
In 2023, Rissanen launched a new electro-acoustic trio, Hyperreal, with Verneri Pohjola on trumpet and Robert Ikiz on drums. Their debut album Hyperreal was released on Edition Records and showcases a richly textured fusion of acoustic jazz, ambient soundscapes, and rhythmic experimentation. The project adds an immersive and cinematic layer to Rissanen’s body of work, expanding his sonic palette into new territory.
“Aki Rissanen Trio’s album is a Finnish jazz classic” Ilkka
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