Trio Toykeat: Fin And Bear It.

Trio Toykeat play the Powerhouse Theatre on Saturday.

Finland’s favourite jazz sons, Trio Toykeat will stage a one night only show at Brisbane’s Powerhouse.

The ensemble is on the world circuit as Pianist /composer and co-founder Iiro Rantala explains: “We are touring all the time. We usually play in Scandinavia, Central Europe, Denmark, Norway, Germany, Benelux countries and Italy the most.”

“And of course Finland!”

The South East Asia leg of their tour officially commenced in Hong Kong on March 1.Other ports of call included: Thailand, Japan, and South Korea before their March 12 down under arrival.

Apart from receiving all the jazz awards one’s homeland can offer in the past 13 years (the life of the trio to-date) Iiro’s musical education appears to have no boundaries when you consider he has sought instruction from popular academies of Helskini and New York City! 

His passion to give life to music grew from a tender age.

“Yes quite early,” says Iiro. “I joined a Finnish boys choir called the Cantores Minores at age of seven. We performed all the great choir works of Bach and travelled around the world singing for the Pope at the Vatican and for Reagan at the White House. It was very exciting and I couldn’t stop after experiencing all that. Although I never knew [at the time] that someday I would travel the world performing my own music with my own trio.”

Iiro speaks fondly of the rest of his trio, Rami Eskelinen (drummer) and Eerik Siikasaai (bassist) then reveals why their musical relationship continues to grow.

“The secret is the perfect match among the three of us, and bad taste of humour and a great desire for adventure.”

Rami Eskelinen surfaced at the Sibelius Academy during the late eighties following his move from Oulunkyla Pop/Jazz Conservatory. He has received awards from various jazz contests in Europe and best drummer at the Hoielaart International Jazz contest in 1988.

Eerik Siikasaari has jazz genes! Yes his family members were all jazz musicians! He also attended Sibelius Academy and some of his career highlights include: recognition as Finland’s number one bassist during the 80’s and the ’95 Yrjo award for Finnish Jazz Musician of the year.

Trio Toykeat have connected with every continent in the world through delivery of over 1200 concerts and have faced major world critics who have no problem praising their efforts. Trio Toykeat’s virtuosity is impressive and packaged in an exciting mix of genres and jazz improvisation, the key element to their performance life.