Saxophonist Jukka Perko made his way into the jazz world as a teenager at Pori Jazz in the summer of 1986. The very next year he was invited to join the orchestra of legendary trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie's 70th anniversary tour. The farm boy had bought his first saxophone at the age of 14, with summer wages earned on a chicken farm, and by the age of 24 he had already performed with his saxophone in more than 30 countries.

His best-known recordings include Music of Olavi Virta by Jukka Perko & Hurmio on the Blue Note label, Kaanaanmaa with the Virtuosi di Kuhmo chamber orchestra and Dizzy Gillespie's 100th anniversary album on the We Jazz label.

Perko is also known for his numerous successful ensembles and his extensive repertoire as a guest soloist with big bands and symphony orchestras. 

In addition to playing, he is the artistic director of the Viapori Jazz Festival and a teacher at the Sibelius Academy. In autumn 2023, Jukka Perko will begin his three-year term as artistic partner of the Kymi Symphony Orchestra.

Music is Perko's way of being. He has learned to play as well as to speak, by listening and imitating. Perko, who approaches music in a quiet way, describes his own attitude to playing and composing as a balancing act between striving for perfection and accepting incompleteness. Perhaps that is why his tunes ring with what some call grace.

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Driven by his brilliant playing technique and by combining Finnish national characteristics with the jazz tradition, he has grown into one of the most important saxophonists of his generation.