CLUB MED- This tune was recorded at Mid-Ocean Recording studios in the mid-eighties. The track was originally released on the project entitled, "In The Free Zone". The Players on this track are: Ari Lahdekorpi - Guitar; Larry Campbell - Bass; Gary Brenner - Keyboards; Frank Meagher - Drums; Eli Herscovitch - Saxophone.

 Letters Theme - This track was written by Ari for the National Film Board feature film entitled, "Letters from Karelia". Recorded at Channels Sound in Winnipeg in August of 2004, the track features Richard Moody on violin, Gilles Fournier on Bass, Shayla Fink on accordian, Christian Dugas on Percussion, and Ari Lahdekorpi on Guitar.

Backwoods Bells - This track was written as a collaboration between Ari Lahdekorpi and Gerry Henkel. Gerry is a musician and instrument maker based in Duluth, Minnesota. Gerry is one of the leading manufacturers of the Finnish folk instrument known as the Kantele. This piece is based on one of Gerry's original tracks performed on the Kantele. For more information on the Kantele click here. For more information on Finnish culture in North America click here.

Bio

Ari began his musical career as a guitarist for a tent revival faith healer. He later moved on to become a session guitarist in Winnipeg, Manitoba during the late seventies and early eighties. Ari's fingerwork was heard on hundreds of sessions for a variety of musical projects as well as filmwork and jingle recordings. During that time Ari performed live with groups like, Rhonda Hart, Byron O'Donnell, and Joey Gregorish.

In the mid-eighties Ari relocated to Ontario. While continuing to perform live as a sideman, Ari began releasing solo guitar projects. In 1986 Ari released his first solo project, entitled, "In the Free Zone".

Some of the notable artists that  Ari has performed with include, Bobby Vinton, Frankie Laine, Pinetop Perkins, Bo Diddley, AC Reed, Paul James, Jack DeKeyzer, Paul Shaffer (of the David Letterman Show), and Roy Young.

Performance highlights include Ari being part of the opening act for Bob Dylan at the Fort William Gardens in Thunder Bay during Dylan's '93 tour; Opening acts for Foreigner, 3 Dog Night, Joe Cocker, Stevie Ray Vaughn, and the Allman Brothers.

In 1992 TVO produced a half hour program on Ari's performance at the noted Jazz club,"The Top of the Senator" in Toronto, Ontario. The program was broadcast nationally on the Vision Network and regionally on TVO.

The cd project entitled, "Letters From Karelia", is the soundtrack from the National Film Board Documentary of the same name. Ari was hired by the NFB on recommendation of the film's Director, Kelly Saxberg. The film was nominated in 2006 for a Gemini award, and has been show around the world. The music is a stylistic departure from Ari's past work. The music is primarily acoustic, with a strong eastern european flavour. The project features Ari as composer, producer, musician, and arranger, performing on guitar, mandolin, bass, and synthesizer. Ari is joined by Richard Moody on violin, Gilles Fournier on acoustic bass, Shayla Fink on accordian, and Christian Dugas on percussion.

In 2006 Ari worked as producer for a special fundraising DVD/CD project entitled, "The Hoito Project". In addition to providing guitar, slide, and mandolin tracks to the CD, Ari also provided the track, "The Silenced Voice" for the CD. The project featured Jukka Tolonen and Rauno Nieminen and their groups from Finland as well as a number of musicians associated with North Western Ontario and the Finnish North American community.

Discography

-In The Free Zone 1986
-The Inner Life 1988
-Silence Overthrown 1992
-Aku Stik 1998
-Best of Ari 1985 - 1999
-Autumn Life 2000
-The Surprise Lake Sessions 2001
-EuroJazz Connection 2002
-Letters From Karelia 2004
-A Matter of Record 2005*
-The Hoito Project 2007 (with various artists)

*available only as digital download.

To Contact Ari Lahdekorpi via mail:
Suite 237 1020 Dawson Road
Thunder Bay, Ontario P7B 1K6