GUEST CONDUCTORS
MARKKU JOHANSSON
Markku Johansson is one of the most versatile professionals of the Finnish music industry. Since 1970 he has worked professionally as trumpet and flügelhorn player, arranger, composer and conductor. For Johansson the choice of career was very natural since both his parents also worked in the music field.
Originally Johansson studied pianoa and got interested in the trumpet in his teen years. His primary interest was classical music which he studied at the Lahti Conservatory and later at the Sibelius Academy.
One major turning point in his life was the 1970's when he moved from his old hometown Heinola to the capital of Finland, Helsinki. At that time Johansson became known as the musician from the pop group Pepe & Paradise but he also started then his career as an arranger and studio musician working for different recording companies, the and for the Mainostelevisio (MTV3). In the 70's Johansson got especially interested in jazz music and started playing the flügelhorn. In 1976-77 he went on a study tour to New York where he studied with Thad Jones, Carmine Caruso and Lew Soloff. Besides Big bands and studio orchestras Markku Johansson has also cooperated with numerous Finnish jazz musicians in smaller ensembles. In connection with his work with the Finnish Broacasting Company Johansson has performed all around the Nordic countries and Europe.
Markku Johansson has been awarded several times for his work in the music business; in fall 1993 the Finnish Jazz Federation rewarded him with an annual Yrjö, 1996 he received the Kullervo Linna Foundation's award for his work in the field of entertainment, in 2000 Johansson won the competition for new valse compositions, 2002 he was acknowledged by the Association of Finnish Musicians.
Markku Johansson has acted as the conductor of the Vantaa Pops Orchestra since 1988. In addition he has cooperated with most of the Finnish Symphony Orchestras. Johansson was a co-founder of the UMO Jazz Orchestra and the Principal Conductor of the orchestra in 1992-93.
