Love Records founder discovered dead by his boat

One of Finland’s most influential figures in it music industry has been found dead beside his boat in Jakobstad. Henrik Otto Donner, 73, was found dead beside his boat at Alholmen harbour in the town of Jakobstad. The cause of death remains unclear.

Donner, who would eventually become one of Finland’s greatest producers, composers, conductors and trumpeters, was born in 1939. He grew up in one of the country’s most renowned cultural families, and began his own career as a trumpeter for Ossi Aalto’s jazz band at just 18 years old.

In the 1960s, he joined Yle’s theatrical department as a conductor before being installed as head of the broadcasting company’s entertainment division in the 1970s. Between 1969 and 1976 he led the Akademiska sangforening, one of the country’s oldest and well-known choirs. Towards the end of the 1970s, he was named head of the state composers’ commission.

However, it is for co-founding record label Love Records with Atte Blom and Christian Schwindt in 1966 that he will be best remembered. The label produced numerous Finnish jazz, folk and rock artistes’ work, particularly during the 1970s.

Donner was still teaching music and composing for several groups including the UMO Jazz Orchestra right up until his death.