Emma and Teosto Prize nominee, pianist Anni Kiviniemi, on Jazz Federation tour in May

Jazz pianist and composer Anni Kiviniemi, whose debut album earned her an Emma nomination and who is currently a Teosto Prize nominee, will head out on a Jazz Federation tour in May with her trio. Joining Kiviniemi are two of Finland’s most sought-after jazz musicians: bassist Jori Huhtala and drummer Olavi Louhivuori.

Anni Kiviniemi is a jazz pianist and composer based in Los Angeles, who has performed extensively across the Nordic countries, the UK, Ireland, Australia, and Canada, both as a solo artist and with her own trio. Kiviniemi’s boundary-pushing musical style balances on the edge of chaos and order, navigating the subtle line between improvisation and composed material. Attentive listeners may detect influences ranging from Slavic folk dances and 20th-century classical piano music to Middle Eastern musical traditions and free jazz.

Anni Kiviniemi Trio’s debut album Eir (We Jazz Records), released in 2024, has been described as “lyrical and explosive” as well as “uncompromisingly original, beautiful, and timeless”. Although the structure of the pieces is carefully crafted, Kiviniemi encourages her fellow musicians to take risks, explore new ideas, and have fun: as a result, no two live performances of the songs are ever the same. Kiviniemi invites her audience (and often herself) to be surprised, moved, and challenged.

Kiviniemi holds a Master’s degree in Performing Arts from the Norwegian Academy of Music and is currently pursuing her second Master’s degree in composition at the Thornton School of Music in Los Angeles.

Anni Kiviniemi Trio

Anni Kiviniemi – piano
Jori Huhtala – bass
Olavi Louhivuori – drums

Concert Venues and Dates

Ti 6.5. at 19.00 Oulu, restaurant Aulis / OMJ Jazz & Etno
Ke 7.5. at 19.00 Seinäjoki, Kalevan Navetta / Ylistaron Kaukolankylän jazzkerho ry
To 8.5. at 19.00 Jyväskylä, restaurant Poppari / Jazz Jkl ry
Pe 9.5. at 18.00 Espoo, Sokos Hotel Tapiola Garden / April Jazz Club
La 10.5. at 19.00 Turku, Åbo Svenska Teatern, Cáfe Tiljan / Flame Jazz

Jazz – heard and seen!

Finnish Jazz Federation’s essential form of operation is national touring. The annual touring activities enable approximately 100 concerts in 40 different locations all over Finland. The concerts mainly take place in their member organizations. Tours include both in-house productions and collaborations with external producers.

Photo: Klaudia Koldras