Kari was born in Laitila (Finland) and began studying classical piano when he was 7. Kari was 12 years old when he bought his first guitar and has been playing since. Kari was an autodidact up to the time he entered Pop/Jazz Conservatory, Helsinki, Finland. Kari completed a degree program in pop/jazz music education in Stadia, Helsinki. Pekka Luukka, a well-known Finnish jazz guitarist, was Kari’s instructor in Stadia. Kari moved to Belgium in 2003 and studied jazz guitar under the famous Belgian Jazz musicians Philip Catherine and Peter Hertmans. 2006 Kari was a cum laude graduate of Royal Conservatory of Gent, where she studied jazz music mastery. Kari also took master classes with Ben Monder, Jim Hall and Michael Brecker. Kari was also in New York several times following his Master’s Degree. He has had the opportunity to study with many of the top contemporary jazz guitarists. To name a few, Kari has collaborated with numerous top Finnish musicians such as Manuel Dunkel, Jaska Lukkarinen and Alexi Tuomarila. Kari has been a sideman in Belgium with top commercial names such as Lee Towers and Ben Cramer. He has also performed at several concerts, including one in Paris Olympia, France. Kari has had the opportunity to perform with some of jazz’s top names in Belgium, including Hans Van Oost and Kris Duerinckx. Kari has played with many international young jazz musicians, including Chad Lefkowitz, Brown, Downbeat magazine award winner, and Victor Assis saxophone contest winner Livio Almeida, from Brazil. Andy Declerck
