Kaisa Mäensivu is a Finnish jazz bassist and composer. She began playing bass at age 13 in Hämeenlinna, Finland, grew up in Helsinki,  and moved to New York City to pursue her career in music in 2016. She has received a Masters of Music in Jazz Studies both at the Manhattan School of Music and the Sibelius-Academy. 

In 2018, Kaisa won the Riga Jazz Stage bass competition and was awarded as the Rising Artist of the Year at the renowned Pori Jazz Festival.

Kaisa Mäensivu has had two releases as a leader. Her quartet Kaisa’s Machine’s first album ‘In the Key of K’ was released in 2017 consisting of Kaisa’s creative compositions. It has received critical acclaim and the band has toured and  performed in many prestigious jazz venues including the Ronnie Scott’s in London and the Rochester Jazz Festival. Kaisa’s Machine represented Finland in Nordic Jazz Comets showcase in Paris 2019. Their second album is in the works. 

Her other group called Kaisa Mäensivu Trio released an album in 2021, featuring Joe Peri on drums, Severi Pyysalo on vibraphone, and Kaisa Mäensivu on bass and vocals. The EP ’Hand Picked’ consists of Kaisa’s compositions as well as some cover songs and arrangements. 

Kaisa has studied with masters like Ron Carter and Dave Liebman, and has played bass for artists such as Tim Hagans, Benny Benack III, Godwin Louis and the UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra etc. 

Currently she’s keeping busy splitting her time between the NYC and Helsinki jazz scenes. 

Instagram: @kaisazz