Lithium
Biography Lithium
Alexi Tuomarila
Finnish-born Alexi Tuomarila (b. 1974) is a well-known name in the European jazz scene both as a pianist and as a composer. With extensive touring behind him as a leader as well as a sideman, Tuomarila has become a regular in many European jazz projects.
Tuomarila started studying classical piano at an early age at the Espoo Music Academy, Finland, then later jazz and classical piano at the Royal Conservatory in Brussels from where he graduated with a Masters degree. Tuomarila has made a considerable impact in Europe winning numerous prizes and awards, including Monaco, Granada, Avignon and Brussels.
As a band leader Tuomarila's focus goes to the Alexi Tuomarila Trio and Drifter. The Alexi Tuomarila Trio he forms together with his long term associates and friends, bassist Mats Eilertsen and drummer Olavi Louhivuori. This Scandinavian trio's latest album, the critically acclaimed Seven Hills (Edition Records, UK), reignited the flare and drive that was evident on Tuomarila's earlier releases and pushed him firmly into the international jazz scene as one of the most exciting pianists of his generation. Drifter, a quartet formerly known as the Alexi Tuomarila Quartet, first came to international attention with the release of Voices of Pohjola in 1999 on the Belgian label Igloo/AMG. The success of the record resulted in Warner France signing the quartet for the release of their next album, O2.
Alexi Tuomarila is currently signed with Edition Records, UK. Tuomarila has released seven albums as a leader, all receiving worldwide attention and critical acclaim from the international press, fans and colleagues. Outside of his own projects, he has shared the stage with the likes of Tomasz Stanko, Kenny Wheeler, Rick Margitza, Joey Baron, Jim Black, Gerald Cleaver, Reuben Rogers, Eric Revis, Bill Evans, Peter Erskine, Anders Jormin, Perico Sambeat, Thomas Morgan, Reggie Washington, Trygve Seim, Andre Fernandes, Tore Brunborg, Nelson Veras and UMO Jazz Orchestra just to name a few.
Tuomarila is a member of several active projects, such as Tomasz Stanko Quintet, Andre Fernandes Dream Keeper, Mats Eilertsen SkyDive, Eero Koivistoinen Quartet, Manuel Dunkel Quartet, Lionel Beuvens Quartet and Skinny Jenny. He also performs as a solo pianist and has given solo concerts around Europe.
Jonne Taavitsainen
Young drummer Taavitsainen already has both of his active bands, Jonne Taavitsainen Threedom and Lithium signed on international record labels, the Dutch Challenge Records and German Ozella Music. Largely due to the success of the Lithium quartet with Alexi Tuomarila, André Fernandes and Joonas Tuuri, Taavitsainen's rhythmic creativity has bounced to international attention. He definitely is a name to watch!
Joonas Tuuri
is an up-and-coming young composer and bass-player. He plays both, upright and electric bass, and studies at the moment at Sibelius Academy. His currently active groups include Laura Annika Quartet Bowman Trio, Jonne Taavitsainen Threedom and Lithium. In the latter he plays alongside pianist Alexi Tuomarila.
André Fernandes
was born in Lisbon, Portugal. He is a very active guitar player having played/recorded with musicians like Lee Konitz, Mário Laginha, Chris Cheek, Maria João, Cyro Baptista, Ohad Talmor, Tomasz Stanko, Bernardo Sassetti, Dan Weiss, Pete Rende, Bill McHenry, Jochen Rueckert, Perico
Sambeat, Jeff Ballard, Julian Arguelles, David Binney, AviShai Cohen,
Eli Degibri, Jorge Rossy, Carlos Barreto, Akiko Pavolka, Jarmo Savolainen, Phil Markowitz and João Paulo Esteves da Silva, amongst many others.
He is a regular member of the Orquestra Jazz de Matosinhos (OJM) with whom he has worked with Maria Schneider, Mark Turner, Joshua Redman, Maria João, John Hollenbeck and Maria Rita, to name a few.
He has played extensively in Europe, the USA, South America and Africa.
He was a member and did a number of tours with the Lee Konitz New Nonet, as well as with singer Maria João´s group, and alto Perico Sambeat´s group.
He has several released albums s a leader, and has played on more than 40 records to date.
His latest record, for british label Edition Records, is called “Dream Keeper” and features Perico Sambeat, Alexi Tuomarila, Demian Cabaud and Iago Fernandez.
