Jorma Katrama (born in Finland 1936) is the top-ranking bass 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 debut with Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, and gave his debut recital two years later in Helsinki. He has given recitals and appeared as soloist in Scandinavia, France, Germany, Italy, England, United States, Estonia, South Korea, Taiwan, Russia and Poland. He has been a jury member at many inernational competitions (Rome, Parma, Cremona, Geneve, Mittenwald, Markneukirchen, Edinburgh, Crema, Reims). Katrama has been member of the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra since 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. Honorary memberships: Finnish Double Bass Society, Scottish Bass Trust, Kyushu Bass Club (Japan), Danish Double Bass Club, Musician Union of Finland. Solo albums (CD): Contrabasso con amore Finlandia (Warner), Contrabasso con bravura, Contrabasso con sentimento, Contrabasso concertante, Contrabas! Warner Korea, Le charme de la contrebasse ERATO, The albums are very popular and have high critical acclaim. Kartama's playing has been described such as:
"Double bass like a Nightingale" (Helsingin sanomat)
"The tone is liquid sunshine" (ISB Mgazine)
Outside the bass-playing Katrama builds 17th century wooden ship models and ships in bottles. He holds license in scuba diving and he loves to play Highland pipes. He has also established the Finnish Piping Society "Midnight Sun Pipers"