Jussi Makkonen (b. 1979, Lieksa) is a Finnish cellist and Sibelius Academy graduate who has performed for audiences across Europe, the United States, Asia and the Middle East. Together with pianist Nazig Azezian he has built one of Finland's most distinctive music-education projects: their narrative school concerts reached over 500,000 Finnish pupils between 2010 and 2017, and their Soiva metsä album became the first Finnish chamber-music record to go platinum. Makkonen has also appeared at state functions - from a presidential reception at Mäntyniemi to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly at Finlandia Hall.
Makkonen and Azezian performed the Lintu Sininen concert with the Lohja City Orchestra at Laurentius Hall, Lohja, in January 2026.
Makkonen and Azezian gave autumn concerts in Espoo and Parikkala in November 2025, including a free-entry Sibelius programme at Espoonlahden kirkko.
Makkonen took part in the Rajaton Taide festival in Joensuu in autumn 2025, performing in two separate concerts including a Sibelius & Dvořák chamber programme.
Makkonen and Azezian performed the Lintu Sininen concert with the Kuopio City Orchestra at Kuopio Music Centre in May 2025, with additional school concerts in Siilinjärvi and Kuopio.
In March 2024, Makkonen and Azezian performed a Sibelius concert at Dubai Expo City and a private concert for US diplomats in Abu Dhabi.
