Markku Kanerva
Among the cutting edge of the most sought-after Finnish jazz guitar players, Markku Kanerva redefines the term hard-working. He can be found on stage or in the studio with any type of project, as long as it is interesting and artistically rewarding.
Kanerva began his formal studies at the Pop & Jazz Conservatory in 1975. He graduated nine years later, and in 1991 enrolled at the Sibelius Academy. The string slinger's first live appearances came with the Espoo Big Band and the UMO in the mid-80's. These big bands still employ Markku at a regular basis and in their ranks he has had the chance to play alongside such masters like Gil Evans and also tour all over the globe.
Another big band which has fed on Kanerva's fire is the Swedish Bohuslan Big Band. A very inspiring foreign collaborator was the Bobby Previte Orchestra, with which Markku played in 1991 at the April Jazz festival.
Locally Kanerva has played with a multitude of groups ranging from Severi Pyysalo's The Front to Iiro Rantala's Trio Toykeat.
Two of the guitarist's most rewarding employers have been the local jazz heroes Jukka Linkola and Pekka Pohjola. Markku's finely crafted guitarism is especially well documented on Pekka Pohjola's 'Heavy Jazz: Live in Helsinki and Tokyo' and the same group's 1997 studio offering, 'Pewit'. Jukka Linkola presents Kanerva on four releases: 'The Tentet' (1994), 'Sketches From Karelia' (1992), 'Ben Bay' (1990) and 'Libau' (1997). Yet another fine way to get acquainted with Markku's soaring style is to listen to the excellent 1996 big band album 'Big Bad Family'.
© Petri Silas 1998
Among the cutting edge of the most sought-after Finnish jazz guitar players, Markku Kanerva redefines the term hard-working. He can be found on stage or in the studio with any type of project, as long as it is interesting and artistically rewarding.
Kanerva began his formal studies at the Pop & Jazz Conservatory in 1975. He graduated nine years later, and in 1991 enrolled at the Sibelius Academy. The string slinger's first live appearances came with the Espoo Big Band and the UMO in the mid-80's. These big bands still employ Markku at a regular basis and in their ranks he has had the chance to play alongside such masters like Gil Evans and also tour all over the globe.
Another big band which has fed on Kanerva's fire is the Swedish Bohuslan Big Band. A very inspiring foreign collaborator was the Bobby Previte Orchestra, with which Markku played in 1991 at the April Jazz festival.
Locally Kanerva has played with a multitude of groups ranging from Severi Pyysalo's The Front to Iiro Rantala's Trio Toykeat.
Two of the guitarist's most rewarding employers have been the local jazz heroes Jukka Linkola and Pekka Pohjola. Markku's finely crafted guitarism is especially well documented on Pekka Pohjola's 'Heavy Jazz: Live in Helsinki and Tokyo' and the same group's 1997 studio offering, 'Pewit'. Jukka Linkola presents Kanerva on four releases: 'The Tentet' (1994), 'Sketches From Karelia' (1992), 'Ben Bay' (1990) and 'Libau' (1997). Yet another fine way to get acquainted with Markku's soaring style is to listen to the excellent 1996 big band album 'Big Bad Family'.
© Petri Silas 1998
- Intro | Michael Thompson
- For The Love Of God | Steve Vai
- Cryin’ | Joe Satriani
- Father | Neal Schon
- The Light In Your Eyes | Mo Foster & Gary Moore
- Cry For You | Andy Timmons
- Rita | Pekka Pohjola & Markku Kanerva
- Song For Jeff | Steve Lukather
- Lust For Life | Marty Friedman
- Common Ground | Mike Stern
- Stony Days | Derek Sherinian & Steve Lukather
- One Desire | Tim Pierce
- Dark | Michael Thompson
