Tuomo Uusitalo

Tuomo Uusitalo is an award-winning pianist, composer, arranger and educator. Having released three albums as a leader, and appearing on numerous albums as a sideman, he has established himself in the New York jazz scene, and continues touring internationally both as a leader as well as sideman.

Currently Tuomo resides in Helsinki, Finland.

Born in Tampere, Finland, Tuomo Uusitalo started to play piano at the age of 6.  As a teenager he played different types of music from classical to pop/rock, and soon became fascinated by Jazz and the thrilling possibilities of spontaneous improvisation. 

While studying music in Graz, Austria (University of Music and Performing Arts, the oldest jazz institute in Europe), Tuomo already had the chance to work and perform with many jazz legends including Bob Brookmeyer, Billy Hart, Curtis Fuller, Jimmy Cobb and Jim Rotondi, as well as many other well known jazz artists such as Steve Waterman, Riccardo del Fra, Wayne Darling, Juan Garcia-Herreros, Howard Curtis, Stjepko Gut, Charlie Miklin and many others. Since 2007 Tuomo has played and toured all around Europe (Finland, Estonia, United Kingdom, Germany, Holland, Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Montenegro, Italy) as a solo pianist and with various ensembles ranging from Piano Trio to Big Bands.

After graduating with honors from University of Music and Performing Arts Graz (Austria) in 2012, Tuomo moved to New York City, and has been living in the city since. He is performing regularly around the city at  numerous venues including NYC's main jazz spots (Smalls, Mezzrow, Fat Cat, Zinc Bar, Cornelia Street Cafe, Minton’s Playhouse, ShapeshifterLab, Cleopatra's Needle, Garage, University of the Streets, Arturo's etc.). During his time in NYC he has worked with several legendary jazz musicians including Chris Cheek, Curtis Lundy, Tyler Mitchell, David Schnitter, Jeff Hirschfield, Johnny O'Neal, Greg Bandy and Philip Harper as well as many notable musicians in the scene such as Ulysses Owens Jr., Dayna Stephens, Obed Calvaire, Rich Perry, Justin Brown, Elliot Mason, Peter Slavov, Josh Evans, Brandon Lewis, Gerry Gibbs,  Scott Tixier, Jason Brown, Luques Curtis, Tivon Pennicott, Troy Roberts, Russell Hall, Evan Sherman, Alexander Claffy and Kyle Poole, to name a few.

"TRIO" is his sparkling 2012 debut CD. The album won the Downbeat Student Music Award in 2012 for the Best Small Jazz Group. At the same year he also won the same price for the Best Latin Group (Marco Antonio Da Costa Group). 2013 he was the recipient of prestigious Sir Roland Hanna Award from City University of New York.

2013 Tuomo had a chance to bring his original compositions to the Montreal Jazz Festival (Canada), where he was a part of the Jazz Composers-Series.

Fall 2014 Tuomo was on the road with The One And Only Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, touring six weeks in The United States and Canada. After the first tour with the band, he has been working with the TDO ever since on a regular basis, touring all over The United States as well as in Portugal, Colombia, Panama, El Salvador, Costa Rica and Mexico.

In 2016 he also started his  twice a month - residency at the world famous Smalls Jazz Club, performing his original music and hosting the jam session with his trio.

2015 Tuomo was commissioned to compose and perform as the headliner at the renowned Chelsea Music Festival in New York City, where he met drummer Olavi Louhivuori, one of the all time leading drummers in the European Jazz Scene. From then on they created a project ‘Northbound’, that recorded it’s debut album which was released in 2017, featuring saxophonist Seamus Blake. The album has been extremely well received among critics and fans.

2016 Tuomo released his second album as a leader, 'Love Song', on Fresh Sound Records, and continues performing in New York City as well as internationally in the future.

2018 Tuomo was asked to join The Post Modern Jukebox for their 2018 European Tour, performing in Iceland, Portugal, Spain, France, Belgium, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Italy, Croatia, Serbia, Macedonia and Israel.

Tuomo’s 3rd album as a leader, ‘Stories From Here And There’ , featuring legendary Chris Cheek was recorded in NYC September 2018 and was released on Fresh Sound New Talent July 1st 2019. 

During COVID-19, Tuomo recorded a set of solo piano pieces, and his first solo piano album, ‘Songs From Suspended Times’, was released on 2023 on Eclipse Records.

2023 Tuomo was awarded the Pori Jazz Festival Artist Of The Year Award, and performed with his trio at the festival.

2023 Tuomo Uusitalo Trio also released their newest, critically acclaimed album ‘Homecoming’ on the Fresh Sound - record label.

Awards

The Art Association of Ylojarvi: Scholarship For An Extraordinary Musical Talent 2006 (Finland)

Jazz Bar Poppari's Rising Young Talent Of The Year 2007 (Finland)

The Downbeat Student Music Award 2012 for the Best Small Group (Tuomo Uusitalo Trio)

The Downbeat Student Music Award 2012 for the Best Latin Group (Marco Antonio Da Costa Group)

Sir Roland Hanna Award, City University of New York 2013

The Downbeat Student Music Award 2013 for the Best Jazz Vocalist (accompanying Vocalist Daniel Cacija)

Pori Jazz Festival Artist Of The Year Award 2023