About

Ilmari Rönkä (b. 1995) is a Helsinki-based saxophonist, flutist, and composer. In December 2024, he released his debut EP Dancing Petals in collaboration with vibraphonist Mikko Antila. The duo recorded a full-length album at Roihuvuori Church in Helsinki in August 2025, which will be released in 2026.

Rönkä performs in Finland’s most-streamed jazz group, the Joonas Tuuri Quartet, and with Finnish Prog Legends Jukka Gustavson, Jukka Tolonen, and Vesa Aaltonen, and frequently appears with the UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra’s saxophone section. He has also performed with the award-winning EMO Ensemble choir, Pori Sinfonietta, Riku Niemi Orchestra and Sointi Jazz Orchestra, among others. 

Rönkä holds a master’s degree from the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki and has also studied at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna. He has performed at renowned festivals including Pori Jazz, Jazzkaar, Torino Jazz Festival, Tampere Jazz Happening, Flow Festival, Oslo Jazz Festival, and Helsinki Festival.

Photo by Anna-Maria Viksten