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Johanna Elina Sulkunen

Johanna Elina Sulkunen is a Finnish vocalist who has been based in Copenhagen since 2009. She has released two albums on her own name Johanna Elina. She is now topical with her new genre-crossing album 'Belonging' (Eclipse/ DME) that was Nominated as the Best Vocal Album (Grammy) 2016 in Denmark. The album was finalized at Sundlaugin studio in Iceland, with Birgir Jón Birgisson. Birgir has been working with many great international artists (e.g. Sigur Rós.) Musicians: Anders Filipsen (DK) - keys, Håkon Berre (NO) - d, Henrik Olsson (SE) - g.

Her frst album on her own name 'Our Garden' (Eclipse) was released in 2011. Musicians on the album: August Rosembaum (DK) - p , Håkon Berre (NO) - d, Henrik Olsson (SE)- g , Joel Illerhag (SE) - b , Kristian Tangvik (NO) - tuba , Magnus Aannestad Oseth (NO) - t, Francesco Bigoni (ITA) - sax

Johanna is also an active member of many other international collaborations; IKI www.ikivocal.com (Danish Grammy winner for the best jazz vocal album 2011), has released 3 albums, and their debut "IKI" was rewarded with a Danish Grammy "Best vocal album of the year 2011" , Plastic Island (Aki Rissanen, Joonas Leppänen), that released their debut EP in 2016, The Tomasz Stanko Experience, and a duo with Hilmar Jensson. www.johannaelina.com

Awards

Danish Music Award 2011 / IKI "Best vocal album" Danish Music Award Nomination 2016 / Johanna Elina "Best vocal album"

Scandinavian Art Ensemble with Tomasz Stańko: The Copenhagen Session Vol. 1

Read "The Copenhagen Session Vol. 1" reviewed by Angelo Leonardi

by Angelo Leonardi
July 14, 2025

Questo è il primo volume di una coppia di album che documentano la registrazione del febbraio 2016 dell'allora 74enne Tomasz Stańko con un ensemble di giovani strumentisti scandinavi e polacchi a Copenhagen. Il trombettista aveva condotto con loro un workshop l'anno prima a Vallekilde Højskole--sempre in Danimarca--organizzato dalla Danish Jazz Union “JazzDanmark." Vista la positiva esperienza avevano programmato un seguito. Dopo una prima esibizione all'Hotel Cecil di Copenhagen la session in questione si ebbe il 19 febbraio al ...

Album Review

Scandinavian Art Ensemble with Tomasz Stańko: The Copenhagen Session Vol. 1

Read "The Copenhagen Session Vol. 1" reviewed by Troy Dostert

by Troy Dostert
May 18, 2025

Although trumpet legend Tomasz Stańko sadly left us in 2018, there are fortunately plenty of signs that his recorded legacy is still unfolding. In 2024 his sparkling release, September Night (ECM), documenting a live engagement from 2004, reminded us of the distinctive emotional vibrancy of this most sensitive of modern trumpeters. And now we have the first of a planned two-volume release, courtesy of a 2015 residency Stańko spent in Denmark with the Scandinavian Art Ensemble. Not only does this ...

“Johanna Elina continues to cultivate her style.” – Helsingin Sanomat ★★★★ “Denmark based singer/songwriter with a jazz background is even more fearless and abstract than before” […] “ in the outstanding expression of the voice, that plays along with a small group- keys, guitar and drums – that has played and produced in many layers. ” – Helsinging Sanomat 2016

“Everything is close, playful, genre-mixing and sufficiently reckless, without letting the voice lose its grip...” – GAFFA, Dk **** 2011

“ It is an unusually peculiar and beautiful debut from the 29- year -old Johanna Elina. There is lyrical depth and evocative and elegantly varied musical expressions.– Dina Amlund KultuNaut, Dk ****** 2011