JUKKA TOLONEN BAND - JUKKA TOLONEN BAND - 1979

Born in Helsinki in 1952 Jukka Tolonen co founded in 1969 the rock/jazz fusion band Tasavallan Presidentti, who recorded four critically acclaimed albums from 1969 to 1974. During this time, Tolonen also recorded two albums with the Finnish Prog band Wigwam.
In 1971 Tolonen recorded his self titled debut recording presenting a mixture of jazz-rock and folk, followed by "Summer Games"(1972), "The Hook"(1972), "Hysterica"(1974) all in the same musical direction. Thanks to his solo records as well as his participations with Tasavallan Presidentti and Wigwam, Tolonen became very popular in Finland and to a lesser extent in Europe and the USA.
In the mid seventies Tolonen formed the Jukka Tolonen Band, featuring Swedish guitarist Coste Apetrea (ex Samla/Zamla) and presenting a more polished jazz-funk. The JTP released a couple of excellent records among them the live album "Montreux Boogie". In 1978 he released the solo acoustic album "Mountain Stream".
Throughout the 80's Tolonen touched other musical styles, recorded a classic acoustic guitar duet with Coste Apetrea and in 1982 a reggae album. He continued to be active on stage, in several line-ups including Bill's Boogie Band with Swedish vocalist/percussionist Bill Öhrström and participated in Jim Pembroke's short lived project, Filthy Rich and recorded with Finnish world fusion band Piirpauke.
During the nineties, Jukka has been working in a "mainstream" rock format with the Jukka Tolonen Trio and recorded again with Piirpauke. In 1999 Tolonen joined the reformed Tasavallan Presidentti who released a live record, "Still Struggling For Freedom" in 2001, followed by a new studio record "Six Complete" in 2006.

Jukka Tolonen is one of the most versatile guitarists whose active career covers now nearly 40 years!

His first four solo records are highly recommended
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