| Extraordinary Bossa Nova expert from unexpected source |
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 The Finnish Bossa Nova guitarist Jarkko Toivonen ( b. 1969 ) studied classical guitar for twelve
years among other things at the Sibelius-Academy ( youth department ) in Helsinki.
Jarkko Toivonen started guitar studies at the age of nine after having heard José Feliciano´s
playing. José Feliciano was Toivonen´s first idol and is still today one of his big influences. As one
of the most remarkable events Toivonen regards his performance in Feliciano's concert at
Tampere-Hall in the city of Tampere, Finland, August 17, 1990.
 In this concert Toivonen had an
opportunity to play together with his idol.
As biggest Brazilian idols Toivonen regards guitarists Luiz Bonfá, Joao Gilberto, Paulinho Nogueira,
Bola Sete, Baden Powell, pianist Sergio Mendes and organist Walter Wanderley.
Jarkko Toivonen has been recognised for example by The Guitar Player Magazine, famous
Argentinian-born guitarist-composer Jorge Morel, and two world-famous Brazilian musicians,
accordionist-multi-instrumentalist Sivuca, and guitarist-vocalist Toninho Horta.
_small.JPG) Toivonen´s CDs "
Here, There and Everywhere " ( 1996 ) and "Growth" ( 1997 ) have been excellently reviewed by
The 20th Century Guitar Magazine, an appreciated American publication in the branch.
Since the mid 90's Toivonen's production has been played on two big Brazilian radio stations in
Sao Paulo, Radio Cultura and Radio Morena.
In March, 2001 Toivonen performed with great success together with vocalist-flutist Danilo
Caymmi, guitarist Sebastião Tapajós and percussionist Marcelo Salazar in " Frutas Tropicales "
festival at Martinus concerthall, in Finland.All these musicians belong to the most remarkable
musicians at the moment in Brazil.
At the end of 2001 Jarkko Toivonen went on tour in Rio de Janeiro performing as a special guest,
among others, in Danilo Caymmi´s and Sebastião Tapajós´ concerts and as a soloist at the famous
club Vinicius Piano Bar. The biggest record shop in Rio, Modern Sound and Toca do Vinicius,
specialized in bossa nova, took Toivonen´s CDs for sale.
On March 15, 2003 Jarkko Toivonen performed together as a special guest star with Ithamara
Koorax, one of the most remarkable Brazilian vocalists, at Frutas Tropicales Festival at Martinus
concerthall. This sold-out concert is regarded as one of the best ones during the eighteen year
history of Frutas Tropicales event (1998-2015).
Toivonen formed his first own group in 1989 " Jarkko Toivonen Jacaranda Trio ". At the moment
his group includes percussionist Mongo Aaltonen, bassist Tuure Koski and vocalist Sari Ann.
Aaltonen worked with Toivonen already in the 1990's and again since 2022, Koski has been
Toivonen's bassist since 2013 and Sari Ann has been the guest vocalist since 2006.
In addition to own concerts and club-performances Jarkko Toivonen has performed in many
domestic festivals, such as Scandinavian Guitar Festival ( Tammisaari ), Jyväskylä Summer Jazz,
Tyykijazz ( Forssa ), Ylläs Jazz Blues, Runnin Rapujatsit ( Iisalmi ), Turku Jazz Festival, Ikaalisten
Kitarakesä, Kuhmon Kamarimusiikki Festival, Frutas Tropicales ( Vantaa ), Kajaanin Runoviikko,
Elijazz (Sammatti) and Pori Jazz Festival.
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