Born December 31 1948 in Leningrad,Russia Vladimir Shafranov was educated in Leningrad Conservatory on violin and piano. Already as a teenager he began playing jazz at the local scene,much to dismay of his teachers. He emigrated to Israel in 1973 and then to Finland in 1974. While in Finland he was one of the most in demand pianist especially accompanying visiting Americans. Greatly encouraged by many of them to move to New York he did so in 1983 and was very active in Manhattan Jazz Scene playing at clubs such as Bradley's Read more on Last.fm