Iiro Rantala
Encyclopedia
Iiro Rantala is a Finnish jazz
pianist
. He has studied piano
in the jazz department of Sibelius Academy
and classical piano in Manhattan School of Music
. He is one of the best known Finnish
jazz pianists, both in Finland and abroad. He's a pianist and composer of Trio Töykeät
, a Finnish jazz trio
. In addition to jazz, he has composed some classical pieces - most notably, the Concerto for Piano and Concerto in G♯ΔA♭.
In 2008, he released the album Elmo with his new formation, the Iiro Rantala New Trio. The members of the trio are:
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
pianist
Pianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
. He has studied piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
in the jazz department of Sibelius Academy
Sibelius Academy
The Sibelius Academy is a university-level music school which operates in Helsinki and Kuopio, Finland. It also has an adult education centre in Järvenpää and a training centre in Seinäjoki. The Academy is the only music university in Finland. It is among the biggest European music universities...
and classical piano in Manhattan School of Music
Manhattan School of Music
The Manhattan School of Music is a major music conservatory located on the Upper West Side of New York City. The school offers degrees on the bachelors, masters, and doctoral levels in the areas of classical and jazz performance and composition...
. He is one of the best known Finnish
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
jazz pianists, both in Finland and abroad. He's a pianist and composer of Trio Töykeät
Trio Töykeät
Trio Töykeät was a Finnish jazz trio. Their music ranges from humorous ragtimes to sentimental waltzes. Their playing style is often rhythmic, energetic and virtuosic. The group disbanded in 2008...
, a Finnish jazz trio
Jazz trio
The term "piano trio" in jazz usually refers to a group comprising a pianist, a double bass player and a drummer. The pianist is usually considered the leader of these trios, and trios are usually named after their pianist...
. In addition to jazz, he has composed some classical pieces - most notably, the Concerto for Piano and Concerto in G♯ΔA♭.
In 2008, he released the album Elmo with his new formation, the Iiro Rantala New Trio. The members of the trio are:
- Iiro Rantala - Piano
- Marzi Nyman - Guitar
- Felix Zenger - Beatbox
Trio Töykeät
- Päivää (SonetSonetSonet may refer to:* Sonet Records, European record label* Synchronous optical networking * Saab Sonett...
, 1990)- International Version: G'day (Emarcy, 1993)
- Jazzlantis (Emarcy, 1995)
- Sisu (PolyGram Emarcy, 1998)
- KudosKudos (album)Kudos is a Trio Töykeät album. It was released in 2000. The word kudos means Tissue in Finnish.-Track listing:# "Étude" dedicated to W.A...
(Universal Music GroupUniversal Music GroupUniversal Music Group is an American music group, the largest of the "big four" record companies by its commanding market share and its multitude of global operations...
, 2000) - High StandardsHigh StandardsHigh Standards is a jazz album by the Finnish band Trio Töykeät. It was released in 2003. This particular record differs from other Töykeät -albums by consisting entirely of cover songs of songs the band members consider to be close to them...
(EMI Blue NoteBlue Note RecordsBlue Note Records is a jazz record label, established in 1939 by Alfred Lion and Max Margulis. Francis Wolff became involved shortly afterwards. It derives its name from the characteristic "blue notes" of jazz and the blues. At the end of the 1950s, and in the early 1960s, Blue Note headquarters...
, 2003) - WakeWake (Trio Töykeät album)Wake is a jazz album by Trio Töykeät. It was released in 2005.-Track listing:# "Perfect Makeout Music"# "Voyage"# "End of the First Set"# "Final Fantasy"# "In a Sentimental Mood"# "Almost"# "Beba"# "You and Me"# "Third Ball"# "Sir Vival"...
(EMI Blue Note, 2005) - One Night in Tampere (EMI Blue Note, 2007)
Big Bad Family
- Big Bad Family (Kompass, 1988)
- Big Bad Family (Re-release) (Final Mix Records, 1996)
Sinfonia Lahti, Trio Töykeät, Jaakko ja Pekka Kuusisto
- Music! (BIS Records, 2002)
SaloRantala Soi
- SaloRantala Soi! (Johanna KustannusJohanna KustannusJohanna Kustannus Oy has been the name of two Finnish record labels. Atte Blom has been a founding member for both companies, and Pekka Aarnio has also been involved with both...
, 2003) - Talvijalka (Sateen ääni, 2009)
Rantala & Tapiola Sinfonietta
- Concerto for Piano and Orchestra in G♯ΔA♭ (Ondine, 2006)