Iiro Rantala, Kaisa Mäensivu, Morten Lund
Biography Iiro Rantala, Kaisa Mäensivu, Morten Lund
Iiro Rantala
is a “force of nature at the keys” (Jazzthing), a true all-rounder, about whom the New York pianist and arranger Gil Goldstein quite rightly says: “Iiro Rantala is a pianistic sensation and the strongest reason I know to believe in reincarnation: because his technique, like his musical sensibility, speaks from depths that could never be fathomed in a single lifetime.”
Until now, the name Rantala was primarily associated with the trio Töykeät, one of the wildest, wittiest, and most visionary piano trios on the international jazz scene: there, the Finnish pianist explored all the possibilities of this classic lineup, sometimes as an energetic keyboard lion, sometimes as a sensitive romantic, and then again as a burlesque jester. His playing defied all styles and was as uncompromising as it was entertaining, yet it was always held together by a magical triangle: boundless technique, a sense of humor, and impeccable taste. These are qualities Rantala has retained even after disbanding the trio Töykeät in 2006 after 18 years to focus on his solo career. This took off when Rantala made his debut as an exclusive ACT artist with Lost Heroes in 2011. On this solo piano album, the Finn pays tribute to his musical heroes, from Jean Sibelius and Esbjörn Svensson to Luciano Pavarotti, with his own compositions. Rantala avoids any sentimentality in favor of a grand, honest gesture of reverence, remaining entirely himself: one of the most accomplished pianists in Scandinavian jazz.
Kaisa Mäensivu
The contemporary New York scene has shaped her style and honed her technique. Composing for Kaisa’s Machine is her chance to channel these influences and explore the groove aesthetic she feels so drawn to. At the same time, Kaisa maintains her connection to Europe, staying close to her musician friends and colleagues there. Growing up in Finland, Kaisa always had a piano in her house, and she recalls it being her first instrument: “I would always climb on the piano and play to keep myself busy.” She started taking lessons at the age of six, but it wasn’t until she saw a woman playing the double bass on television that things really took off: “It looked so impressive,” and it perfectly matched her connection to rhythm.
Studying jazz at the renowned Sibelius Academy in Helsinki launched her career as a musician, and in 2017 she graduated from the Manhattan School of Music, where she had always wanted to study. There, she had the opportunity to learn from professors like Dave Liebman and a personal hero, Ron Carter. “Listening to Ron Carter on the live recordings of the Miles Davis Quintet was a major influence. What really blew me away was his choice of notes, how creatively he built the bass lines and took risks that led the music to new places.” Kaisa herself had to take risks: She traded the piano for the double bass, left her native Finland, and moved to America to participate in jam sessions—always a nerve-wracking experience. “When I first moved to New York, I went to this club in the north of the city called Smoke Jazz Club. The feeling of walking into a random club during the week and hearing musicians I didn't know, who sounded so amazing—it blew me away. That same evening, the club opened for a jam session, and Kaisa stepped in: “I was so nervous, but I think it went pretty well because that session was my first gig in New York.” Some might have felt intimidated, but Kaisa rose to the challenge: “Yeah, that's just how it is in New York,” she remarks.
This attitude has allowed her musicality to flourish, and Kaisa has won several awards, including first prize at the 2018 Riga International Jazz Stage competition for bassists and the “Rising Star” award at the Pori Jazz Festival. Kaisa now splits her time between New York and Helsinki when she's not touring the world.
Morten Lund
is a Danish jazz drummer, composer, and educator. He leads a trio with Italian pianist Stefano Bollani and Danish bassist Jesper Bodilsen. Morten is also a member of trumpeter Paolo Fresu's Devil Quartet and the ensemble Kind of Porgy and Bess. As a session musician, Morten Lund has contributed to more than sixty albums.
Morten Lund was born in 1972 in Viborg, Denmark, into a musical family. His father played drums, trumpet, and guitar and was very active in the city's jazz scene; his mother played flute. Morten Lund began playing drums at the age of six and later played in various ensembles and genres. He had his first paid gigs at the age of 15. In 1993, Morten Lund was accepted to the Royal Danish Academy of Music in Aarhus, and just a year later, while still a student, he began playing in the internationally acclaimed Klüvers Big Band.
With this band, Morten Lund recorded his first CD. After graduating in 1997, he moved to Copenhagen and soon became involved in several projects, recording albums and touring. Since then, Jesper Bodilsen, with whom he had also studied at the Academy, has been a close collaborator on many projects. Since then, Lund has established himself as one of the most active drummers on the Danish jazz scene.
In 2002, Morten Lund and Morten Bodilsen were among the musicians selected for the Jazzpar Sixtet, which Enrico Rava had founded to celebrate receiving the Enrico Rava Award. The virtuoso Italian pianist Stefano Bollani was also a member. Since the chemistry between the three musicians was right, they formed a trio the following year.
Their first album, "Mi ritorni in mente," was released that same year, received critical acclaim, and became one of the ten best-selling albums in Italy that year. After tours in Italy and Scandinavia, it was clear that the collaboration would be long-lasting. They played in jazz clubs and at festivals around the world. The trio made their New York City debut at the legendary Birdland Club. In 2006, the trio released their second album, "Gleda," which focuses on Scandinavian songs.
