Pertti Jalava (b. 1960 in Turku) is a Finnish composer.

He has composed numerous works for various chamber ensembles and orchestra, among them six symphonies and several orchestral concertos. He has also written a considerable volume of music for big band and his jazz ensemble, in which he plays drums and keyboards.

Jalava has won a number of prizes in Finnish and international composition competitions with works for orchestra, string orchestra, wind orchestra, chamber ensemble, jazz ensemble, big band and choir.

Though stylistically he keeps his two main genres (jazz / chamber and orchestral music) separate, without engaging in crossover, he does allow influences to travel between the two and they have many features in common: the important role assigned to rhythm and melody, polyphony, picturesque narrative and richness of event.

Photo: Jari Kallio