Risto Toppola is a Helsinki-based guitarist and a composer. He is in the forefront of the Finnish jazz scene and also active with international projects. He combines jazz, pop and world music in versatile and experimental ways. In addition to the acoustic and electric guitars, he also plays other stringed instruments, such as bouzouki and the mandolin.
Toppola has performed e.g. in Sweden, Poland, Holland, France, Estonia, Portugal and Switzerland. Apart from performing in clubs and at festivals, Toppola has also played and composed music for various theatre, television and studio projects. Besides the Sibelius Academy's Jazz Music Department, Toppola has studied with Jim Beard, Wayne Krantz and John Abercrombie.
He is a well-respected teacher himself. He currently teaches at the and the Sibelius Academy and at the Savonia University of Applied Sciences. He has held masterclasses in Spain, Italy, Holland, Switzerland, Estonia and Sweden.
Toppola is also working towards the Ph.D. at the Sibelius Academy.
Toppola has performed e.g. in Sweden, Poland, Holland, France, Estonia, Portugal and Switzerland. Apart from performing in clubs and at festivals, Toppola has also played and composed music for various theatre, television and studio projects. Besides the Sibelius Academy's Jazz Music Department, Toppola has studied with Jim Beard, Wayne Krantz and John Abercrombie.
He is a well-respected teacher himself. He currently teaches at the and the Sibelius Academy and at the Savonia University of Applied Sciences. He has held masterclasses in Spain, Italy, Holland, Switzerland, Estonia and Sweden.
Toppola is also working towards the Ph.D. at the Sibelius Academy.