Alexi Tuomarila - Departing the Wasteland (2024) [Hi-Res]

Departing the Wasteland, the new album by Finnish pianist and composer Alexi Tuomarila, marks the beginning of a new creative flowering for him and also 20 years of playing with the trio that’s at the heart of the album: Mats Eilertsen on bass and Olavi Louhivuori on drums. Portuguese guitarist Andre Fernandes and guest players add richness and texture to the trio sound which incorporates electronics and synthesised moods and tones.

For more than 15 years Alexi Tuomarila has been quietly building a considerable reputation as one of the finest pianists of his generation in Europe. In 2003 he signed with Warner Jazz France, releasing the album ‘02’ ’, which brought him worldwide attention and critical acclaim. He shared the stage with some of the biggest names in jazz, his international career and talent fast developing when, without warning, Warner Jazz ditched their jazz and classical department. He then worked for a decade with Polish trumpeter legend Tomasz Stanko, playing piano on the acclaimed album Dark Eyes for ECM Records, and collaborated with his current drummer Olavi Louhivuori (Oddarrang) with whom he continues to record for Edition.

Alexi Tuomarila has three highly successful albums on Edition, Seven Hills (2014), Kingdom (2017) & Sphere (2019).

Alexi Tuomarila - piano, synthesizers
Andre Fernandes - guitar
Mats Eilertsen - bass
Olavi Louhivuori - drums

Gil Silva - trombone on tracks 2, 4, 8
José Pedro Coelho - tenor sax on tracks 2, 4, 8
João Guimarães - alto sax and flute on tracks 2, 4, 8