AKI RISSANEN TRIO
Marking the 10-year anniversary of their critically acclaimed debut album Amorandom, Finnish pianist Aki Rissanen and his Nordic trio return with a captivating new release: Imaginary Mountains. Joined by the extraordinary Teppo Mäkynen on drums and Antti Lötjönen on bass, Rissanen presents an album that celebrates a decade of creative synergy while charting new artistic heights.
Like Keith Jarrett’s iconic Personal Mountains, an album that resonated deeply with the pianist in his youth, Imaginary Mountains explores the metaphor of life’s personal challenges and triumphs. The trio’s trademark strong rhythmic interplay—driven by Mäkynen’s dynamic energy and Lötjönen’s resonant foundation—breathes life into Rissanen’s evocative compositions. The album’s powerful, pulsating energy mirrors the resilience required to conquer life’s personal mountains, both real and imagined.
With its perfect blend of Nordic lyricism, bold rhythms, and emotional depth, Imaginary Mountains is a tribute to the Finnish concept of sisu—a unique blend of courage and determination—and to the joy found in striving for greater heights.
TERRITORIES
World, apart from Finland.
Finland: Pia Raitala, pia@raitala.com
TOURDATES AND AVAILS
20. - 24. October 2025
06. - 08. November 2025
12. - 15. November 2025
19. - 22. November 2025
‘Aki is a tremendously musical, passionate and soulful person and has a high energy level. He is one of the best young pianists I have heard in years’. DAVE LIEBMAN
‘Rising star around Europe’ DOWNBEAT
”Advanced ideas with a street-sharp attack. Rissanen’s fine trio is a formidable force, with fresh musical intelligence to match flawless techniques.” THE GUARDIAN
”Aki Rissanen is the one to watch- Finnish pianist’s chameleonic virtuosity has seen him play with an enviable list of luminaries.. Rissanen is a musical storyteller, a jazz musician with something to say. In short, there’s a confidence in Aki Rissanen Trio’s playing that is borne out of mutual respect and can take this group far. They are shaping up to become an important band on the European scene” STUART NICHOLSON, JAZZWISE
„[…] hell auf eine ganz eigene Art, steckt in sieben Stücken mit Stil, Anmut und Eleganz ein breites Spektrum an Stimmungen ab.“ Jazzthing
„[…] eine seltsam konstruierte Maschine, deren Zahnräder, Pumphebel und Federn sich alle in einem eigenen Rhythmus bewegen […] diese akustische Apparatur bewegt sich kraftvoll und unbeirrbar vorwärts wie ein aufgemotztes Schneemobil.“ Rondo
„Die drei Musiker driften auseinander, entwickeln ein Eigenleben, nicht frei von dissonanten Anflügen, bis sich die Band in einem gemeinsamen Beat wiedervereinigt. Dies live mitzuerleben, ist durchaus ein Gewinn. […] Immer wieder schälen sich Melodien aus dem scheinbaren Chaos.“ DeWeZet
„Hiermit dürfte er endgültig angekommen sein.“ Stereo, 5 Sterne Musik, 4,5 Sterne Klang
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