Courageous and free sound of modern Nordic jazz

Sanna Ruohoniemi stands out on the jazz scene, both in terms of compositions and radiance. Her ability to use her voice is enviable; the breadth of her creation exceptionally free and fluid.

Now the artist and composer, Sanna Ruohoniemi, who lives in Stockholm, releases the new album ”Let Everything Happen” as following ”Start from Nothing” which was praised, among others, by the Europe Jazz Media Chart as one of the best music releases in Europe in November 2018.

Ruohoniemi’s compositions move determinedly and fearlessly in the world of modern jazz, with an anchor in the history. Here you can find everything from swing and groovy bebop to folk tones and tango. On top of that insightful texts in several languages.

Sanna Ruohoniemi grew up in the countryside of Finnish Ostrobothnia and was encouraged early on by her teacher to develop her creative sides. When she discovered jazz in her teens, she abandoned her thoughts of becoming an actor. Since then, she expresses herself through music.

The new ”Let Everything Happen” was recorded in the Atlantis studio in Stockholm and mixed by Pål Svenre. It is an album that describes both longing, hope, breakup and sadness.

Musicians in the band and on the new album:

Fredrik Lindborg – saxophones & bass clarinet

Daniel Tilling – piano

Lars Ekman – bass

Daniel Olsson – drums

After several years of music studies, for example, at Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, Ruohoniemi landed at the Royal Academy of Music in Stockholm, ending up to finish her jazz master studies there. After that she stayed. She learned Swedish by singing Monica Zetterlund’s lyrics. And on ”Let Everything Happen” there is also an interpretation of a folk song in Swedish, ”Jag vet en dejlig rosa”.

The artist carries the Finnish heritage with her and it is noticeable on several tracks, such as in ”Slavic heart” and ”Tango Variaté”. There is also a new interpretation of ”Sakta vi gå genom stan” which Ruohoniemi, with her new lyrics in Finnish, places in Helsinki.

Ruohoniemi has performed around Sweden and Europe. Among other occasions, several times at the Stockholm Jazz Festival, at the prestigious Pori Jazz Festival in Finland and at the Sydney International Women’s Jazz Festival.

The newspaper Opulens wrote after a gig at the Stockholm Jazz Festival:

“The word about her capacity had also spread, and the venue was more than full. The musical variety was both in the song selection and in Sanna’s voice, which shows a great breadth. All in all, here’s a music creator and vocalist there’s every reason to keep an eye on in the future.”

Briefly about Sanna Ruohoniemi:

Jazz vocalist and composer Sanna Ruohoniemi releases her third album ”Let Everything Happen” in 2024.

The artist lives in Stockholm, but grew up in Finnish Ostrobothnia.

Ruohoniemi has two master’s degrees in music. Both in jazz and as a singing and music teacher.

More press quotes about Sanna Ruohoniemi:

– Phil Lively on British ”The Progressive Aspect”, writes:  ”If your favorite brand of music isn’t jazz, if you’re unfamiliar with what is surely this broadest of genres, this music is the perfect envoy indeed for the genre.”

– Dan Backman on ”OrkesterJournalen”: ”Sanna Ruohoniemi has an independent expression in whatever language she expresses her songs in.”

– Juha Seitz on the Finnish newspaper ”Ilkka / Pohjalainen”: ”Sanna Ruohoniemis flexible vocalism is entirely one of a kind. This talent dares to throw herself  into music which creates strikingly fine improvisations. When you encounter virtuosity and vision, this  is the result.” 

– German music critic Duklas Frisch writes on ”InMusic”: ”In the Finnish jazz scene, young singer Sanna Ruohoniemi has been one of the most notable talents since her debut album ’Tales Of A Stranger’ (2016), releasing her second album, ’Start from Nothing’, starring a top-notch band.”

”Sanna’s extraordinary vocals meet lyrical jazz, nordic folk and improvisational passages.” 

– Irene Sjögren, vocalist and researcher: “With her quiet, naked persona and her truly honest musicianship she will take you to places and she will touch your heart.”

Media about Sanna Ruohoniemi:

– This is how ”Opulens” wrote about my gig at the Stockholm Jazz Festival:

”Opulens was listening to her concert during the Stockholm Jazz Festival, and the Church of Finland at Slottsbacken in the Old Town provided a beautiful setting for a concert that was very varied. The rumor about her capacity had also spread, and it was more than full. The variation in the musical was found both in the song choice and in Sanna’s voice, which shows a great breadth.”

– Phil Lively on British ”The Progressive Aspect”, writes:  ”If your favorite brand of music isn’t jazz, if you’re unfamiliar with what is surely this broadest of genres, this music is the perfect envoy indeed for the genre. ”

– Dan Backman on ”OrkesterJournalen” also liked her last album: ”Sanna Ruohoniemi har ett självständigt uttryck vilken språkdräkt hon än klär sina sånger i.”

– Juha Seitz in the Finnish daily newspaper ”Ilkka / Pohjalainen” writes: ”Sanna Ruohoniemis flexible vocalism is entirely one of a kind. This talent dares to throw herself  into music which creates strikingly fine improvisations. When you encounter virtuosity and vision, this  is the result.”

– German music critic Duklas Frisch writes on ”InMusic”:”In the Finnish jazz scene, young singer Sanna Ruohoniemi has been one of the most notable talents since her debut album ’Tales Of A Stranger’ (2016), releasing her second album, ’Start from Nothing’, starring a top-notch band.”

”Sanna’s extraordinary vocals meet lyrical jazz, nordic folk and improvisational passages.”