Composer and pianist Iiro Rantala is probably Finland’s most internationally renowned jazz musician. After rising to international fame in the 1990s with Trio Töykeät, he has continued his brilliant career with solo concerts, classical music, plays, musicals, and most recently, composing operas.

In 2010, he signed a recording contract with the German label ACT, and with the release of his solo album Lost Heroes in 2011, Rantala’s solo career took off. In addition to rave reviews, the album also won several international awards. Since then, he has recorded 10 solo albums for the label.

Rantala studied at the Oulunkylä Pop & Jazz Institute and the Sibelius Academy’s jazz program. From 1991 to 1993, he studied classical piano at the Manhattan School of Music in New York.

He received the Yrjö Award in 1996, a five-year grant from the State Music Council in 1998, a five-year grant from the Arts Council of Finland in 2004, and the Pro Finlandia award in 2013.

Iiro Rantala’s music combines sensitivity and romanticism with fast-paced entertainment, sparkling humor, and dazzling technical virtuosity. Iiro does not believe in long artist introductions, preferring instead that the audience focus on enjoying the music.