Olli Soikkeli

Olli Soikkeli is a talented guitarist from Nurmes, Finland, who has gained international recognition for his exceptional skills and unique style of playing. Born in 1991, Olli began playing guitar at the age of 12 and was soon drawn to the music of Django Reinhardt, the legendary guitarist who was one of the pioneers of the genre known as Gypsy jazz.

Olli quickly became an accomplished player and began performing at various venues and festivals across Finland. He soon caught the attention of other musicians, and in 2011 he recorded his first album, “Trois Générations,” with Hot Club de Finlande and Vitali Imereli. This was followed by his second album, “Kouvola Junction,” which he recorded in 2012 with Paulus Schäfer and Arnoud van den Berg.

In 2014, Olli moved to New York City to pursue his career in music, and he quickly established himself as a rising star in the city’s vibrant jazz scene. He played at legendary venues such as Town Hall, Herbst Theatre, Birdland Jazz Club, Blue Note, Iridium, and the Lincoln Center. He also formed the Rhythm Future Quartet with violinist Jason Anick, which released its debut album in 2014 and its second album, “Travels,” in 2016.

In 2017, Olli collaborated with virtuoso accordionist Julien Labro on the album “Rise and Grind,” which they also toured together. In 2018, he released “Rhythm Future Quartet and Friends,” which featured collaborations with singer Cyrille Aimée, Brazilian bandolimist Hamilton de Holanda, and guitarist Stochelo Rosenberg.

More recently, Olli has explored other styles of music, including Brazilian choro music. In 2018, he began a duo project with New York-based Brazilian 7-string guitarist Cesar Garabini, and early in 2019 he recorded with Grammy award-winning pianist Marian Petrescu.

Olli’s talent, versatility, and passion for music have made him one of the most exciting guitarists to emerge in recent years. His dedication to the music of Django Reinhardt and the Gypsy jazz tradition has earned him respect and admiration from fans and fellow musicians alike. With each new project, Olli continues to push the boundaries of his craft, and his future in music looks bright and promising.