Markku Ounaskari

Markku Ounaskari is a Finnish drummer and percussionist known for his nuanced, textural approach to jazz and improvised music. A key figure in the Nordic jazz scene, he’s celebrated for blending folk traditions with contemporary experimentation, often collaborating with artists like pianist Samuli Mikkonen and trumpeter/vocalist Per Jørgensen. His work, including releases like *Kuára: Psalms and Folk Songs* and *Aleatoric: Songs for Solstice*, explores atmospheric soundscapes and poetic storytelling, drawing from Finnish and Sami cultural roots. Recent projects like *Zula* and *Listening to the Night Sky* highlight his knack for minimalist grooves and emotive improvisation, cementing his reputation as a quietly innovative force in modern European jazz. Fun fact: Many of his albums, including *Absence* and *Adaption II*, appear on ECM Records, a label synonymous with ethereal, boundary-pushing acoustics.