Joona Toivanen Trio to Australia and Asia in September

Joona Toivanen Trio will give concerts in Singapore, Korea and Australia on September 7 - 22. The tour includes 11 concerts in all, plus TV performances and workshops.

The journey will begin in Singapore with tho club dates. After that, the Korean part will encompass festival appearances as well as live television performances on a national channel. In Australia, the trio will appear on stage no fewer than seven times, and, in addition, two workshops will be held in Melbourne and Canberra.

The tour will be organized by Australian promoter Henk van Leeuwen, who has previously imported other Finnish artists as well, including the likes of Espoo Big Band, Jukka Perko and Trio Töykeät.

Pianist Joona Toivanen currently studies in Sweden at the School of Music, Gothenburg University. He started his career in the Jyväskylä jazz scene, which applies also to the other members of the group, Tapani Toivanen (bass) and Olavi Louhivuori (drums).

The music of the trio is often described as lyrical and elegant. In their repertoire they feature original compositions and emphasize ballads. To quote Jukka Hauru, jazz critic for Finland's biggest daily newspaper Helsingin Sanomat, the trio has "an exceptional ability to express such longing that combines melancholy and joy".

Singapore dates

Sep 7-8:
Singapore, Southbridge
Jazzclub

Korea dates

Sep 10-11:
EBS TV, live broadcast
Sep 11:
Seoul, Evans Jazz Club
Sep 12:
Daejong Festival
Sep 13:
Jarasum Jazz Festival

Australia dates

Sep 16:
Darwin, Skycity Sunset
Jazz Series
Sep 17:
Perth Jazz Society, Hyde
Park Hotel
Sep 18:
(workshop): Northern
Melbourne Institute
Sep 18:
Melbourne, Bennetts Lane
Jazz Club
Sep 19:
Canberra, Finnish Embassy
Sep 20:
(workshop): Canberra,
Australia National University
Sep 20:
Canberra, Southern Cross
Club
Sep 21:
Cairns, Tanks Arts Centre
Sep 22:
Brisbane, Kangaroo Point

Mika Kauhanen/Fimic
5 July, 2007