Mikhail Alperin

Ukrainian pianist, born in 1956 in Kamjanez-Podilskyj, Ukraine, died on 11. May 2018, Oslo, Norway. He grew up in Moldavia. He studied classical piano and in 1980, along with Simon Shirman, Alperin founded the first Moldavian jazz quartet by developing his idea of linking jazz and folk. But his real popularity as of a ethno-jazz musician began in Moscow, Russia, where he made the acquaintance of the brilliant French horn player Arkady Shilkloper, a member of the Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra. Then they integrate a genuine singer of traditional Russian music, Sergei Starostin, in their duo; the result is now worldwide known as famous Moscow Art Trio. Since 1993, Alperin lives in Norway, tours worldwide (with Moscow Art Trio and with famous Bugarian Choir Angelite) and records for European labels like ECM, Jaro and Boheme Music.