About
Jonathan Bäckström is a double bassist and composer from Kronoby, Finland. He works within the broader spectrum of jazz, free improvisation and contemporary music. He is currently active as bassist, composer, improviser and band leader in based in Helsinki.
He graduated with a degree in music from Novia UAS in 2019. As a collaborator he has played and recorded with many national and international artists. He has in addition to Finland performed in Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Romania, the Netherlands, Réunion Island, Russia and UK.
His playing can be heard in many different group including Jonathan Bäckström Quartet, Ida Alanen trio, Bäckström/Friman/Jensen, Adi Stoenescu trio, Wärnheim/Bäckström Duo and many more projects. He leads his group Jonathan Bäckström Quartet which will release their self-titled debut album on Helsinki record label ”We Jazz Records” in May 2024.
Jonathan Bäckström Quartet is an acoustic improvising quartet based in Helsinki with members from Finland and Sweden. The quartet are set on a mission to navigate and discover the music that is being created in the moment. The quartet’s expression consists of minimalistic landscapes and explosive, multi-layered free improvisation and is the result of each musician bringing their individual voices to create a strong, collective statement.
Apart from his ensemble work, Jonathan has also worked extensively as a solo performer. His solo work explores un-learning internalised material using extended technique, props and improvisation. The music opens new doors into unexplored landscapes and textures on the double bass. His compositional work has been supported by Svenska Kulturfonden, TAIKE and Konstsamfundet.
Media
Jonathan Bäckström Quartet (We Jazz Records) 2024
Ida Alanen Trio Awake Asleep (AMP records) 2023
JBQ video (07:16), Göteborg 2022
Adi Stoenescu trio live video (09:22) Timișoara 2022
Calendar
2024
11.1 Ida Alanen Trio, Jeppis Jazz, Jakobstad
14.1 Ida Alanen Trio, Tenho Restobar, Helsinki
15.1 Ida Alanen Trio, Rica Bar, Turku
18.1 Ida Alanen Trio (radio-concert), Steinway Piano Gallery, Helsinki
2.2 DUKE, Doo bop club, Vasa
4.2 DUKE, Tenho Restobar, Helsinki
14.2 Bäckström/Friman/Jensen, Smagløs, Aarhus
15.2 Bäckström/Friman/Jensen, HeadQuarters, Aarhus
16.2 Bäckström/Friman/Jensen, Bookstore Sessions, Termansens, Ribe
17.2 Bäckström/Friman/Jensen, Ølluminati, Viborg
1.3 Florian Fleischer trio feat. Toms Rudzinskis, Doo bop club, Vasa
3.3 Jani Edström quartet, Grankulla kyrka, Grankulla
29.3 JBQ, JaZZanti, Hakasalmen Huvila, Helsinki
4.4 JBQ, Kulttuurikellari, Savonlinna
5.4 JBQ, Jazzkerho -76, Joensuu
6.4 JBQ, Jeppis Jazz, Jakobstad
7.4 Harju 8 Jam feat. Adele Sauros
9.4 JBQ Sellosali, Espoo
11.4 JBQ, St. Clara, Stockholm
13.4 JBQ, Philly Joe’s, Tallin
23.4-5.5 VICC Residency, Visby, Sweden
13.5 Valdman/Rößeler/Bäckström/Nylund, Rica bar, Turku
15.6 Ida Alanen Trio, Musiikkijuhlat, Joensuu
24.7 JBQ, Flame Jazz, Turku
Past Concerts
2023
18.12 Bäckström/Jensen/Friman, Rica bar, Turku
9.12 ÅST julkonsert, Åbo svenska teater, Turku
30.11 Ornette Supreme!!, Jeppis Jazz, Jakobstad
26.11 Valdman/Rößeler/Bäckström/Nylund, Tenho Restobar, Helsinki
5.11 Ida Alanen Trio, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
5.11 Ida Alanen Trio Masterclass, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
5.11 JBQ, Transylvania Jazz Festival, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
16-31.10 Reunion Island residency w. Benjamin Facconier
13.10 Valdman/Rößeler/Bäckström/Nylund, Lapinlahden Lähde, Helsinki
11.10 Ida Alanen Trio, Juttutupa, Helsinki
7.10 Koivistoinen/Bäckström/Haavisto/D’Anna Jeppis Jazz Festival, Jakobstad
3.10 Solo+Solo+Duo tour, B-galleria, Turku
2.10 Quartet concert w. Marcus Wärnheim, Lapinlahden lähde, Helsinki
1.10 Solo+Solo+Duo tour w. Marcus Wärnheim, Mahdollisuuksien Tila, Tampere
30.9 Concert w. Martin Segerstråle, Balders Sal, Helsinki
29.9 Solo & duo concert w. Marcus Wärnheim, Asbestos Art Space , Helsinki
27.9 Solo+Solo+Duo tour, Dynamo, Stockholm
26.9 Solo+Solo+Duo tour w. Marcus Wärnheim, Lava Kulturhuset, Stockholm
16.9 Sandberg/Nylund/Bäckström, Doo bop Club, Vaasa
30.8 Teurastamo Jazz feat. Mikko Innanen, Teurastamo, Helsinki
2.8 JBQ, Teurastamo, Helsinki
31.7 Ida Alanen trio, Jazz-espa, Helsinki
26.7 Ida Alanen trio, Teurastamo, Helsinki
21.7 Friman/Bäckström/Jensen trio, Musiikkitalo, Helsinki
12.7 Teurastamo jazz feat. Antje Rößeler trio feat. Mikko Antila, Teurastamo, Helsinki
6.7 Jonas Rönnqvist Quartet, Fondis, Vasa
25.6 Lassi Friman Trio, Tenho Restobar, Helsinki
15.6 Sandberg/Bäckström/Nylund, Pub Huopis, Helsinki
14.6 Sandberg/Bäckström/Nylund, Teurastamo, Helsinki
7.6 Teurastamo Jazz, Teurastamo, Helsinki
3.6 Ida Alanen trio, Das Jazzschloss, Berlin
2.6 Wärnheim/Martinsson/Jäger/Bäckström, De tanker in Noord, Amsterdam
Contact
For bookings, clinics, workshops etc. reach out with the contact information below, or send a message using the form.
backstrom.jonathan.music (a) gmail.com
© Jonathan Bäckström 2023 / Photos: Jonathan Terlinden
Jonathan Bäckström 