Iro Haarla

Iro Haarla is a Finnish jazz pianist and harpist, composer, and bandleader, born on November 7, 1956, in Tampere, Finland. Known for her stately and evocative music that mirrors the beauty of her homeland's landscapes, Haarla has released albums on esteemed labels like ECM, Svart, and TUM. Her playing style is often compared to the likes of Paul Bley, with a weightless and displaced quality on piano, and a delicate romanticism on the harp. Haarla was a pivotal figure in the music of her late husband, drummer Edward Vesala, serving as the inner architect and orchestrator for many years. With a knack for assembling superb jazz ensembles, her work in free jazz continues to captivate audiences worldwide.