Liro Rantala HEL Trio

The Finnish pianist Liro Rantala is a force of nature. His musical wildness and piano skills are simply outstanding. Whether one gets the chance to experience him in classical music temples like the Berlin Philharmonie, Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, Konzerthaus Berlin, Philharmonie Cologne, or in jazz clubs and festivals throughout Europe, he is guaranteed to mesmerize his audience. Whether performing solo, as a trio, or with a full orchestra backing him, Rantala effortlessly navigates the borderlands between jazz, classical, pop, and the Nordic musical heritage. With him, it's never all or nothing. He always gives his all, combining emotions and melancholy with plenty of humor and charm in everything he does. As the exceptional jazz musician he is, he has released a plethora of iconic albums over the years and performed with legendary jazz masters like Lars Danielsson, Ulf Wakenius, and Peter Erskine. However, he is most renowned for his cult trio Töykeät. Ever since dissolving that trio, he has been searching for the perfect trio. He claims to have found it with the HEL Trio, and we couldn't agree more. Here, he is joined by the Swedish drummer Anton Eger, one of the greatest drummers on the European jazz scene at the moment, and the British star bassist Colin Chaplin, especially known from the highly acclaimed ensemble Dinosaur. In the music from the classically trained master pianist's hands, one can expect electronic power jazz with great virtuosity and improvisational wit. It's devilishly wild and beautiful jazz. Perhaps that's why they're called the HEL Trio.

Line-up:
Liro Rantala (FI): piano
Conor Chaplin (GB): bass
Anton Eger (SE): drums

About Liro Rantala:
The Finnish pianist Liro Rantala is described as "a force of nature at the keys" (Jazz Thing). For almost 20 years, he dominated jazz scenes in and outside of Europe with the anarchistic trio Töykeät. His subsequent ACT debut album, "Lost Heroes," marked a turning point in his music. Whereas unrestrained virtuosity had previously reigned, Rantala now sought and found strength in melody, harmony, and deep emotions. However, his wildness still shines through alongside his excellent classical piano skills. Rantala manages to maintain a delicate balance in many ways. He is hailed by critics and has received awards such as the German record critics' annual prize, ECHO Jazz, the Finnish EMMA Prize, and many more. At the same time, he is a crowd favorite, performing at hundreds, if not thousands, of concerts.