present
Born in Tampere, Finland, Tuomo Uusitalo started to play piano at the age of 6. As a teenager he played different types of music from classical to pop/rock, and soon became fascinated by Jazz and the thrilling possibilities of spontaneous improvisation.
While studying music in Graz, Austria (University of Music and Performing Arts, the oldest jazz institute in Europe), Tuomo already had the chance to work and perform with many jazz legends including Bob Brookmeyer, Billy Hart, Curtis Fuller, Jimmy Cobb and Jim Rotondi, as well as many other well known jazz artists such as Steve Waterman, Riccardo del Fra, Wayne Darling, Juan Garcia-Herreros, Howard Curtis, Stjepko Gut, Charlie Miklin and many others. Since 2007 Tuomo has played and toured all around Europe (Finland, Estonia, United Kingdom, Germany, Holland, Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Montenegro, Italy) as a solo pianist and with various ensembles ranging from Piano Trio to Big Bands.
After graduating with honors from University of Music and Performing Arts in 2012, Tuomo moved to New York City, and has been living in the city since. He is performing regularly around the city at numerous venues including main jazz spots (Smalls, Mezzrow, Fat Cat, Zinc Bar, Cornelia Street Cafe, Cleopatra's Needle, ShapeshifterLab, Garage, University of the Streets, Arturo's etc.). During his time in NYC has worked with several legendary jazz musicians including Curtis Lundy, Tyler Mitchell, David Schnitter, Jeff Hirschfield, Johnny O'Neal, Greg Bandy and Philip Harper as well as many notable musicians in the scene such as Ulysses Owens Jr., Dayna Stephens, Obed Calvaire, Elliot Mason, Peter Slavov, Josh Evans, Brandon Lewis, Gerry Gibbs, Scott Tixier, Jason Brown, Luques Curtis, Tivon Pennicott, Troy Roberts, Russell Hall, Evan Sherman, Alexander Claffy and Kyle Poole, to name a few.
"Trio" is his sparkling 2012 debut CD. The album won the Downbeat Student Music Award in 2012 for the Best Small Jazz Group. At the same year he also won the same price for the Best Latin Group (Marco Antonio Da Costa Group). 2013 he was the recipient of prestigious Sir Roland Hanna Award from City University of New York.
2013 was also a year of his debut as a producer; "Johnny O’Neal, Live at Smalls", which fast became one of the most best selling albums of the label (SmallsLIVE). The album was mentioned and artist highly acclaimed in the New York Times, May 1, 2014 issue.
Tuomo had a chance to bring his original compositions to the Montreal Jazz Festival (Canada), where he was a part of the Jazz Composers-Series. Fall 2014 Tuomo was on the road with The One And Only Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, touring six weeks in US and Canada, and continues working with the band in the near future. At the same year he also started his twice a month - residency at the Smalls Jazz Club, performing his original music and hosting the jam session with his trio.
Tracklisting:
01. Pannonica (Thelonious Monk) 5:09
02. Long Ago and far Away (Jerome Kern) 5:01
03. I Keep Going Back to Joe’s (Jack Segal) 7:35
04. Untitled (Tuomo Uusitalo) 4:34
05. Just in Time (Jules Styne) 7:43
06. Love Song (Tuomo Uusitalo) 4:31
07. There’s a Small Hotel (Rogers-Hart) 6:01
08. A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square (Manning Sherwin) 5:02
09. Benji’s Grip (Tuomo Uusitalo) 5:55
10. Lullaby (Tuomo Uusitalo) 1:20
Personnel:
Tuomo Uusitalo (piano)
Tivon Pennicott (tenor sax on #3,7 & 9)
Myles Sloniker (bass)
Itay Morchi (drums)
Recorded at Acoustic Recording Studios, New York City, September 8 & 9, 2015
Sound engineer: Michael Brorby
Photography & design: Una Stade
Produced by Tuomo Uusitalo
Executive producer: Jordi Pujol
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