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Double Bass
Jorma Katrama (born in Finland 1936) is the top-ranking soloist in Finland. He studied first violin and later double bass at the Sibelius Academy and was the first in Finland to be granted a diploma in double bass.
From 1964 to 1967 he studied with Gaston Logerot in Paris. In 1966 he made his début with the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, and gave his début recital two years later in Helsinki. He has given recitals and appeared as soloist in Scandinavia, France, Germany, Italy, Great Britain, United States, Estonia and Russia. He has been a jury member at many international competitions (Rome, Parma, Cremona, Geneve, Mittenwald, Markneukirchen).
Katrama has been member of the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra since 1959, and principal bassist from 1967 until 1999.
As well as teaching at the Sibelius Academy, he regularly holds master classes all over the world and has established the Finnish Double Bass Society.
Solo albums (CD):
Contrabasso con amore Finlandia Records (Warner) 4509-95605-2
Contrabasso con bravura 4509-95864-2
Contrabasso con sentimento 4509-97894-2
Contrabasso concertante 3984-21450-2
Contrabass! Warner Korea 3984-21355-2
Le charme de la contrebasse ERATO 39842-27082
The albums are very popular and have gained high critical acclaim. His playing has been described as "Double bass like a Nightingale" (Helsingin Sanomat) and "The tone is liquid sunshine" (ISB Magazine).
When not playing the bass, Katrama builds 17th century wooden ship models and ships in bottles. He holds a scuba-diving licence and he loves to play Highland pipes. He has also established the Finnish Piping Society "Midnight Sun Pipers".
Contact details and further information
Jorma KatramaUlvilantie 5 E 64,
00350 Helsinki, Finland
Phone/Fax: 358 9 565 33 21
E-mail Jorma Katrama