MIKKO HASSINEN
Photo: Susanna Kantelinen
BIOGRAPHY
Mikko Hassinen is one of Finland's leading jazz musicians. He has studied at the Sibelius Academy in both the jazz music and composition and music theory programmes.
During his 30-year career, he has performed with some of the most prominent Finnish jazz musicians, as well as many foreign artists. Hassinen has performed not only in Scandinavia and Europe, but also in South America and the United States.
Hassinen's compositions mainly consist of works for big band, choir and electronics. He is also a sought-after arranger and conductor
In 2014, Hassinen's album Elektro GT was awarded the Teosto Prize. In 2017-18 he was artistic director and principal conductor of the Helsinki Jazz Orchestra. The Finnish Jazz Federation awarded Hassinen the 2021 Yrjö Prize. From 2025, Hassinen will take up the post of Artistic Director of the Turku Jazz Orchestra.