Eero Koivistoinen is the artistic director for KSJ2026

21.9.2025

Eero Koivistoinen is a living legend of Finnish jazz – a saxophonist, composer and bandleader whose career now spans seven decades! Educated at the Sibelius Academy and Berklee College of Music, Koivistoinen emerged in the 1960s as a pioneer of modern jazz. He quickly gained recognition both for his own recordings and for collaborations with leading Finnish and international musicians. His saxophone sound is unmistakable and powerful – capable of conveying both strong energy and delicate sensitivity.

His output covers a remarkably wide spectrum: early poetry settings, free jazz, fusion, African-inspired music and melodic contemporary jazz. Albums such as Odysseus (1970) and his jazz rock/fusion releases from the 1970s have achieved cult status internationally. Among his notable works is Baltic Sea Blues (2012), a multimedia piece combining music and images, created as part of a campaign to protect the Baltic Sea – an issue also close to the heart of Korpo Sea Jazz!

Koivistoinen was one of the founders of the UMO Jazz Orchestra, serving as its artistic director from 1996 to 1998. His many accolades include the State Prize for Music (2017) and the Yrjö Award (1967).

Eero Koivistoinen remains an active performer and recording artist. His music reflects both decades of experience and an unyielding curiosity – he continues to be one of the most significant voices in Finnish jazz.