Jukkis Uotila

Born Aug. 23, 1960 Helsinki, Finland Drummer, pianist, composer Professor of Jazz music Sibelius Academy Jazz Department Jukkis is best known for: - his subtle but explosive drumming and versatile musicianship that has enabled him to produce six CD’s featuring also his compositional talents: INTROSPECTION (Polydor/Fnac), AVENIDA (Stunt) and JUKKIS UOTILA BAND LIVE (Stunt) and in addition FAST COMPANY with Jerry Bergonzi on Blue Jackel label and HUNTERS AND GATHERERS with Dave Liebman on DoubleTime Records. Along with his compositions, his sensitive pianism can be heard on the latest release, MENINAS (Spice of Life) - his performances as a leader of his own small groups that have included such luminous sidemen as Randy Brecker, Bob Mintzer, Mike Stern, Bob Berg, Wayne Krantz, Anders Jormin, Jim Beard, Jerry Bergonzi, Joey Calderazzo, Lars Danielsson, Tim Hagans, Dick Oatts, Marc Bernstein and others. - the wide stylistic adaptability and international free-lance work with such varied names as: Toots Thielemans, Randy Brecker/Eliane Elias, Mike Stern, Joe Henderson, McCoy Tyner, Benny Goodman, Chet Baker, Freddie Hubbard, Joe Lovano, Jack McDuff, Gil Evans, Maria Schneider, Billy Cobham, Joey Calderazzo and John Scofield. his vast big band experience –a long association with the Stockholm Jazz Orchestra (since 1992) with numerous CD releases. Jukkis played drums with the Finnish UMO Jazz Orchestra and often conducted the band during his stay 1986-93. Other credits include the WDR big band (Cologne), the NDR big band (Hamburg), Norrbotten big band, Bohuslän big band, the SWR big band (Stuttgart), the Akiyoshi/Tabackin big band, Frank Foster big band, Lennart Åberg big band and the Swedish Radio Jazz Group. Jukkis is also known for: - his work in Europe in small groups with Tim Hagans, Caecilie Norby, Bob Rockwell, Tommy Smith, Thomas Clausen, Doug Raney, Bireli Lagrene, Tomas Franck, Kenny Wheeler, the Doky Brothers, Marc Bernstein, etc. - his work as a sideman on numerous recordings with Toots Thielemans, Chet Baker, Doug Raney, Joe Bonner, the Stockholm Jazz Orchestra, Bob Rockwell, Ulf Wakenius and the Norrbotten big band to name a few. - his piano playing that is on equal level with his drumming. Among others, Jukkis has performed as a pianist with Billy Cobham’s Culture Mix, The Stockholm Jazz Orchestra and Randy Brecker, who marvelled: “Was I thrown in for a loop! I thought it was Herbie back there playing!” - his pioneering pedagogic career – in 1986 Jukkis was appointed the head of the Jazz department at the Sibelius-Academy in Finland. “Guided by his strong vision and aided by his international contacts, the man singlehandedly raised the academy into one of the best institutes of jazz education in Europe” (Finnish Jazz 2002). In 1994 he became the first Professor of Jazz music in the Nordic countries. - his clinics endorsing Pearl drums / Paiste Cymbals / Vic Firth Sticks as well as his informative clinics on improvisation for all instrumentalists. Using both piano and drums, Jukkis covers a wide spectrum of subjects essential for today’s jazz musician.