Tuomo Uusitalo, a pianist, composer, arranger, and educator, is an award-winning musician. He has released two albums as an artist leader and appeared on many albums as a sideman. He is well-known in New York’s jazz scene and continues to tour internationally as both a leader and as a musician. Tuomo Uusitalo was born in Tampere (Finland) and began playing piano when he was 6. He was a teenager who played a variety of music, including classical and pop/rock. As an adult, he became interested in Jazz and the exciting possibilities of spontaneous improvisation. Tuomo was studying music at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Graz (the oldest jazz institution in Europe), and had the opportunity to perform and work with many jazz legends, including Bob Brookmeyer and Curtis Fuller, Jimmy Cobb and Jim Rotondi. As a solo pianist, Tuomo has toured Europe as well as with many ensembles, including a Piano Trio and Big Bands. Tuomo graduated from University of Music and Performing Arts Graz in Austria in 2012. He has lived in New York City since. Tuomo is a regular performer at many venues in NYC, including the main jazz spots: Smalls, Mezzrow and Fat Cat, Zinc Bar. Cleopatra’s Needle Garage, University of the Streets and Arturo’s. He has had the privilege of working with many jazz legends including Tyler Mitchell, Curtis Lundy and David Schnitter. His debut album, “TRIO”, was released in 2012. In 2012, the album won the Downbeat Student Music Award for Best Small Jazz Group. He also won the Best Latin Group (Marco Antonio Da Costa Group) award the same year. He was awarded the prestigious Sir Roland Hanna Award by City University of New York in 2013. 2013 Tuomo was able to perform his original compositions at the Montreal Jazz Festival (Canada), as a member of the Jazz Composers-Series. Fall 2014 Tuomo toured six weeks with The One And Only Tommy Dorsey Orchestra. He will continue to work with the band in near future. He also began his residency at Smalls Jazz Club twice a month, where he performed original music and hosted the jam session with his band. 2016 Tuomo, who is still performing internationally, released his second album, “Love Song”, as a leader on Fresh Sound Records. from www.tuomouusitalo.com
