North Story

Misha Alperin, born Michail Jefimowitsch Alperin, was a Soviet-Norwegian jazz pianist renowned for his introspective and cerebral approach to music. Born in Ukraine in 1956 and raised in rural Moldavia, Alperin began his musical journey with classical training, which he completed in 1976. He later transitioned to jazz and improvisation, becoming a key member of the acclaimed Moscow Art Trio. Alperin's music is characterized by its atmospheric quality, often incorporating Jewish and Romanian folk themes, and his compositions are known for their stark and terse realizations. Throughout his career, he recorded extensively for ECM, fitting the label's image of northern-European melancholy. Alperin's work as a pianist, composer, and improviser left a lasting impact on the jazz world, and he passed away in Oslo in 2018 at the age of 61. His legacy continues to inspire with its depth, creativity, and emotional resonance.