Raoul Bjorkenheim

Who is Raoul Bjorkenheim?

Raoul Björkenheim is a Finnish-American jazz guitarist. He was born to Finnish parents. His mother is actress/singer Taina Elg. He lived in the USA until he was 15 years old, when his family returned to Finland. He resided in Finland until 2001 when he relocated to New York City.

Björkenheim had his breakthrough experience working with one of the most significant figures in Finnish jazz, drummer Edward Vesala. In the 1980s he played on three records under Vesala's leadership, including the first by Vesala's group Sound And Fury, Lumi.

In the late 1980s Björkenheim left Vesala to start his own group, Krakatau. After two recordings issued initially only in Finland, Björkenheim reformed the group with all new personnel. In the early 1990s the new Krakatau issued two recordings on ECM, after which it dissolved.

Subsequent projects have included the international group Phantom City, led by Paul Schütze; a collaborative recording with New York guitarist Nicky Skopelitis; and arranging and playing the music of Miles Davis's electric period with Finland's UMO Jazz Orchestra.