“Kari Ikonen is a deeply heartfelt pianist who is constantly searching for beauty. He finds it very often.” -Jazz Journal (UK)

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Pianist-composer-moogist, Master of Music Kari Ikonen (b.1973) is one of the key figures in European jazz & improvised music scene. He is currently active as solo pianist, with Kari Ikonen Trio, duo with Louis Sclavis, duo with Fabrizio Cassol, Quartet Al-Qantara, and with several other Finnish and international bands like Wishamalii, Orchestra Nazionale della Luna, Quartet Ajaton and Trio Toffa. He has worked with the likes of Lee Konitz, Ra-Kalam Bob Moses, Tony Malaby, Ingrid Jensen, Anders Jormin, Kheir-eddine M’Kachiche, Vincent Courtois, Juhani Aaltonen, Eero Koivistoinen, Magnus Broo, Raoul Björkenheim, Mathias Eick, Jeff Denson, Gerald Cleaver, Ron McClure, Claudio Puntin, Per Texas Johansson, Tom Arthurs, Kalle Kalima… and orchestras like ADDA Simfonica, Sinfonia Oulu, Iceland’s Liberation Orchestra and UMO Jazz Orchestra. Kari has performed at big and small festivals, concert halls and music clubs in Sovyet Union (!), South Korea, Japan, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Australia, USA, Armenia, Turkey, Israel, Russia, Senegal and about 30 european countries. His playing and/or compositions have been recorded for more than 50 albums, 8 of these on his own name. His debut album “Karikko” was awarded with Finland’s Grammy in 2001, and in 2013 he got the Yrjö Award as the Finnish Jazz Musician of the Year. His compositions have been honoured internationally, taking first prizes in the American “Julius Hemphill Composition Awards” and in the Italian “Scrivere in Jazz”. Mr. Ikonen is also an inventor – the revolutionary Maqiano™ Microtuning System is allowng him and other pianists to explore with the Arabic maqamat and other microtones on acoustic piano!

“Kari Ikonen shows a sparkle and gently questing spirit that engages the listener” -Stuart Nicholson, Jazzwise (UK)

”Kari Ikonen Trio achieve an ensemble sound that is fresh, subtle, and tickled by gentle surprises.” –Joe Woodard, DownBeat (USA)