Seven Hills is the new trio album from Finnish born Alexi Tuomarila, an artist on the verge of becoming one of the most important young pianists & composers on the European Jazz scene.
Following numerous first prize awards at various international jazz competitions throughout 2003 he signed to Warner Jazz France releasing two albums that brought worldwide attention and critical acclaim from the international press, fans and musicians including fellow pianist Brad Mehldau, who is quoted as saying, “I’m definitely excited about the future of this piano player”. He has shared the stage with some of the biggest names in Jazz and was firing on all cylinders until without warning Warner Jazz stopped their jazz and classical output leaving Tuomarila, almost overnight, without management and any career direction. Feeling disparaged and dismayed, what followed was a period of self-discovery, growth in his confidence and eventually a realisation that playing this music was his ultimate goal.
In subsequent years he released three albums as a leader on smaller Scandinavian labels but more importantly joined Tomasz Stankos’ Quintet with which he has toured extensively in Europe, US and Japan as well as recording the brilliant ‘Dark Eyes’ CD for ECM.
Today Tuomarila is now on the eve of releasing his new album Seven Hills, his debut for Edition, with his long term trio featuring friends and musical partners Norwegian bassist Mats Eilertsen and Finnish drummer Olavi Louhivuori. This will be Louhivuori’s second outing on Edition, who featured on Dave Stapleton’s album Flight in 2012 and will also soon be releasing his third album with his band Oddarrang in Oct 2013.
Alexi Tuomarila – piano, Mats Eiletrsen – double bass, Olavi Louhivuori – drums
KAPPALEET:
Seven Hills
Cyan
Prologue
Jibeinia
Skuld
Perl
Visitor Q
Miss
Ceremony
ALEXI TUOMARILA TRIO
Seven Hills
EDN 1041
Edition Records (UK)