Aki Rissanen (b. 1980, Kuopio) is a Finnish pianist and composer who trained classically for twelve years before earning a Master's degree in jazz piano and composition from the Sibelius Academy in 2009, with further studies at the Paris Conservatoire. He leads the Aki Rissanen Trio alongside bassist Antti Lötjönen and drummer Teppo Mäkynen, and his debut album Amorandom (Edition Records, 2016) won the Emma Award - Finland's Grammy equivalent - for Best Jazz Album of the Year, drawing praise from The Guardian and Jazzwise. He has since built a steady international profile through collaborations with trumpeter Verneri Pohjola on ACT Music and saxophonist Dave Liebman, performing across Europe, the USA and beyond.
Aki Rissanen Trio released Imaginary Mountains on Edition Records on September 12, 2025, featuring 12 tracks recorded with the Yamaha CP-70 electric grand piano.
Spectrum Culture published a review of Imaginary Mountains on October 30, 2025, noting Rissanen's expressionist approach on the new record.
Rissanen performed as soloist with the Tapiola Sinfonietta at Tapiolasali, Espoo, on November 27, 2025.
The Aki Rissanen Trio played a run of Finnish dates in October 2025, including G Livelab Helsinki, Livelab Tampere, Poppari Jyväskylä and Porvoo Jazz Club.
Rissanen performed at the North Sea Jazz Festival in Rotterdam in July 2025 as part of the Aki Rissanen - Steven Kamperman Duo.
