Raoul Björkenheim

Raoul Melvin Björkenheim (born February 11, 1956) is an Finnish-American jazz guitarist, who has lived in Helsinki,[1] New York,[1] and Los Angeles.[2]

Raoul Björkenheim
Raoul Bjorkenheim at Moers Festival, Germany, 2006
Raoul Bjorkenheim at Moers Festival, Germany, 2006
Background information
Born (1956-02-11) February 11, 1956
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
GenresAvant-garde jazz, electronic
Occupation(s)Musician
Instrument(s)Guitar
Years active1980s–present
LabelsECM, Cuneiform, Rune Grammofon
Websiteraoulbjorkenheim.com

His mother is Finnish-American actress Taina Elg.[3] In his teens he moved to Finland.[2] He attended the Helsinki Conservatory and the Berklee School of Music.[2] His professional career began in the 1980s with Finnish jazz drummer Edward Vesala.[4] After recording three albums with Vesla, he formed Krakatau.[2][4] During the 1990s he reduced the band to a trio. He recorded an album with guitarist Nicky Skopelitis that was produced by Bill Laswell.[4]

Björkenheim has composed for the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, and the UMO Jazz Orchestra[2] and worked as a soloist with the Avanti! Chamber Orchestra and Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra.[4] He recorded three albums for Rune Grammofon in the Scorch Trio with Ingebrigt Håker Flaten (bass) and Paal Nilssen-Love (drums).[4] Other collaborators include Hamid Drake, William Parker, Kalle Kalima,[4] and the band Kvalda.[5]

References

  1. "Raoul Björkenheim - Bio". raoulbjorkenheim.com. Retrieved 2023-06-30.
  2. Gronow, Pekka (2002). Kernfeld, Barry (ed.). The New Grove Dictionary of Jazz. Vol. 1 (2nd ed.). New York: Grove's Dictionaries. p. 223. ISBN 1-56159-284-6.
  3. Finlands ridderskaps och adels kalender 1992, pp. 92–93. Esbo 1991. ISBN 951-9417-26-5
  4. Dorsch, Jim. "Raoul Björkenheim". AllMusic. Retrieved 1 February 2019.
  5. "Raoul Björkenheim Ecstasy – Biography". Jazz Finland. Retrieved 6 July 2019.
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