Kari Ikonen – piano  //  Olli Rantala – bass // Markku Ounaskari – drums

“Kari Ikonen shows a sparkle and gently questing spirit that engages the listener (…) an aesthetically satisfying album”  (****)  –Stuart Nicholson, Jazzwise (UK)

The Finnish Kari Ikonen Trio has been active since 2012. Its two albums ”Bright” and “Beauteous Tales and Offbeat Stories” on German label Ozella have gained a lot of international success, making the band busy playing at clubs and festivals all over Europe, and in Japan, South-Korea, Russia, Turkey, Australia and the USA. KIT’s third album Wind, Frost & Radiation was released April 27, 2018 by Ozella Music!

Besides of the trio, the pianist-moogist-composer Kari Ikonen (b.1973) is currently active with several other bands like Orchestra Nazionale della Luna, Quartet Ajaton and Trio Toffa – and different projects with Louis Sclavis, Bob Moses, Tom Arthurs, Ingrid Jensen, Jeff Denson, Vincent Courtois and Juhani Aaltonen. Ikonen has won several international awards for his compositions, and in 2013 he received the Yrjö Award as the Finnish Jazz Musician of the Year. Bassist Olli Rantala (b. 1981) studied at Gothenburg University with the master Anders Jormin. Today he is an essential part of the Swedish jazz and world music scene. He plays in KIT since 2016. ECM recording artist, Markku Ounaskari (b.1967) got known for his work with Jarmo Savolainen and Pekka Pohjola. Today he plays regularly with artists such as Sinikka Langeland, Kristjan Randalu, Trygve Seim and Raoul Björkenheim. Markku got the Yrjö award in 2014.

”This is a wholly original take on the improvising piano trio.”  (****)  –Dave Foxall, Jazz Journal (UK)

“Gorgeously colored by chiming piano percussion, cello-esque bowed bass and shimmering cymbal work, the Kari Ikonen Trio exemplify a distinctly Scandinavian collective work ethic (…) Ikonen, a former winner of Finland’s Jazz Musician of the Year award, is a serious artist making work with a color and conviction worthy of any of today’s leading European three-pieces.”
–All About Jazz (Hong Kong International Jazz Festival 2018)

“A lot of intensity in the interaction, clear compositions, tremendous energy here in the band communication, this was an impressive band.” –Ralf Dombrowski, LondonJazzNews (UK)

“Full of moments of beauty and offbeat explorations, ‘Beauteous Tales and Offbeat Stories’ builds on and expands beyond the artfulness of ‘Bright’ which itself was a strong effort. The Kari Ikonen Trio is the emerging European piano trio that people should be paying a lot of attention to.” –Something Else! Reviews (USA)

”Kari Ikonen Trio grabbed the moment with an assured and highly imaginative display of contemporary piano trio aesthetics.” –Jon Newey, Jazzwise (UK)

”…vertiginous piano playing…”  –Democrat & Chronicle (USA)

Listen to the music at Soundcloud or see the videos below !!!

Download KIT tech rider & stage map      Download KIT onesheet

Contact & booking:
management.ikonen ‘at’ gmail.com
+358-40-5130395
mail ‘at’ kariikonen.com