Kaisa Mäensivu – Double Bassist and Composer

Kaisa Mäensivu is a New York-based Finnish double bassist, composer, and bandleader whose musical vision connects American jazz heritage with the European aesthetic.

Her technical and performance background includes studies at Helsinki’s prestigious Sibelius Academy and a Master’s degree from the Manhattan School of Music—platforms through which she developed a distinct voice centered on groove, an organic pulse, and the melodic clarity of the double bass.

Through her core project, Kaisa's Machine, and collaborations with international figures such as Kurt Rosenwinkel, Dave Kikoski, and Seamus Blake, she has solidified her presence at leading festivals and clubs across the global jazz scene.

Her approach to composition stands out for designing structural frameworks where the double bass operates as the rhythmic and conceptual engine of the group, allowing collective improvisation to evolve without losing the piece's architectural core.