Korpi Ensemble (FIN)
Formed in 1999, Korpi Ensemble is a band which effortlessly mixes jazz, soul and pop in their music. A central figure of the group is the singer Johanna Iivanainen, compared to Norah Jones. A celebrated and rewarded jazz singer on her own right, Iivanainen is also known as the voice of Luomo’s house music productions.
Korpi Ensemble, listing bands from Air to Sigur Rós and composers from Antonio Carlos Jobin to Yann Tiersen as their influences, released their second album in fall 2006. “Trails” was named one of the year’s best releases by the leading Finnish newspaper Helsingin Sanomat. In addition to Johanna Iivanainen, the band consists of Hannu Oskala (accordion), Arttu Kataja (piano), Petri Kivimäki (guitar), Tero Tuovinen (double bass) and Pekka Saarikorpi (drums and percussion). Kivimäki works as the primary composer, while Iivanainen writes most of the lyrics.
