Tomi Salesvuo hails from Lappeenranta, in Finnish South Karelia. He grew up in a family where music was a near constant presence through his musician father. For Tomi, his interest in playing the drums was born out of hearing live music at concerts, and playing in music class at school. Jazz and other rhythm music grabbed his interest, and the teenaged Salesvuo started playing in his hometown big band. In high school, goal-oriented drum studies became his focus in Helsinki. Later, Tomi was admitted to the Sibelius Academy jazz department, as the first youth program student in 1990. There, he completed his studies, graduating with an M. Mus. degree. His professional studies at the Sibelius Academy, as well as meeting and playing with musicians in the capital region quickly led to gigs and group projects, in a variety of settings, including the longest-lasting groups: XL, How Many Sisters, Anna-Mari Kähärä’s group and the soul jazz trio, Bitter Sweet.
Tomi Salesvuo lives in Helsinki with his family, and performs actively in groups performing a variety of musical styles, both at home and abroad. His compositions and approach to production can be heard on several albums, and he has participated in club and festival productions with his own company, Satomusic Ltd. Salesvuo serves as Assistant Professor at the Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, and has performed, held master classes and taught music in various parts of Europe, Russia, Turkey, the United States and Canada. His own group, the Tomi Salesvuo East Funk Attack has published three albums, “EFA”, “Rhythm” and “Nothing´s Enough” where his compositions and production are featured. Brand new Jazz trio Salesvuo Syncopation bursts the joy of playing together with Long time friends Pope Puolitaival – saxophone, Mikko Helevä – Hammond Organ. Debyt album “Complete Loft Sessions” was released in 2023 (Eclipse Music).