Erik Pekkari

A master of the two row diatonic accordion, zither and fiddle, Erik Pekkari has remained committed to the traditional music, gemmeldansmusik, of Sweden. His solo album, Hogtryck, paid homage to the continuing influence of Swedish folk musician, Carl Jularbo (1893 – 1966). According to Swedish magazine, Gotesborgs – Posten, Pekkari is "another good example of young Swedish musicians who, in an exemplary way, pass on our heritage of traditional music."Since the late-1990s, Pekkari has performed in a trio that he shares with fiddlers Bengt Lofberg and Pelle Bjornlert. Reviewing the trio's album, Mikaelidansen, released in early 2000, RootsWorld wrote, "this trio of master musical craftsmen merges a formal, almost classical dance, sensibility with an energy and occasional wit that few traditional musicians ever find."Born in Pitea, a small village near the Arctic Circle, Pekkari studied accordion at Framn's College of Music since the age of seven. He currently resides in the southern Swedish city of Linkoping. ~ Craig Harris