Markku Ounaskari, born on September 27, 1967 in Finland, is a percussionist known for his contributions to jazz and fusion music. He studied drums at the Pop- und Jazz-Konservatorium in Oulunkylä and later at the Sibelius Academy's Jazz Department starting in 1987. During his studies, Ounaskari joined two prominent Finnish groups: Piirpauke and the Pekka Pohjola Group. Ounaskari toured extensively with pianist Jarmo Savolainen throughout the early 1990s, contributing to several albums including “John’s Song” (1996) and “Another Story” (1997), as well as “Times Like These” (2002), “Grand Style” (2004), and “Songs for Trio” (2006). He collaborated with numerous Finnish and international jazz artists. In 2009, he formed the group Kuára with Per Jørgensen and Samuli Mikkonen, releasing their debut album Kuára: Psalms and Folk Songs in 2010 on ECM Records, which won the Emma Award for Best Finnish Jazz Recording of the Year. Ounaskari received the Yrjö Prize, Finland's highest jazz honor, in 2014.
