M.A. Numminen was born in 1940 in Somero, Finland, and lives in Helsinki. He studied philosophy, sociology, and linguistics at the University of Helsinki. Numminen has performed and composed neo-rustic jazz, electronic and pop music, as well as opera, and his recent project includes the soprano soloist Mia Huhta. He has composed philosophical treatises, made movies, written poetry, is a tango expert, and has authored books and records.