Johanna Sillanpaa

Biography

For every style of music that Johanna Sillanpaa explores, be it jazz, groove, R&B or soul, there's a vibrant colour in her voice to match. She can play it slow and solemn, smooth and silky, as strong and rousing as cognac’s burn, or as soft and tender as a lingering kiss.

Sillanpaa’s confidence in her own eclectic sound - and in her own skin - has come with time. "It's something I've grown into," says the Swedish expat. "I've always had a certain amount of flexibility to my voice, but it feels like there's an agility to my voice now, and I'm really enjoying it!"

This fresh zeal is unmistakeable on her third solo record, The Make of Me. Her perseverance has been stoked by the "comfort of working in such a small musical family," referring to guitarist Aaron Young, bassist Kodi Hutchinson, pianist Chris Andrew and percussionist Tyler Hornby - whom she's been collaborating and crafting music with since 2004. Sillanpaa and her acoustic soul ensemble have played everywhere from the intimate jazz joints in their small-but-tight musical community of Calgary to the Montreal Jazz Festival's 60,000-plus crowds. Beyond filling venues in Canada and abroad, Sillanpaa's sound has also drawn its fair share of accolades and award nominations, including a Western Canadian Music Award nod in the Urban music category. At the 2010 Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards, she was nominated for Best Female Vocalist and Group/Duo of the Year with Sillan & Young.

Promo

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The Make of Me

Sillanpaa’s new record signals both a refi nement of her wide-ranging tastes and some new creative watermarks. Already an accomplished writer, one of Sillanpaa's goals while putting The Make of Me together was to pen originals showcasing an evolution in her music - hereafter known as "Always" and "Linger." She also broke character a bit by laying down a happy, old-school Motown-style style track called "Soul."

"Vocally, this is really, truly who I am now," says Sillanpaa. "There's definitely an element of melancholy and moodiness to my music, but on this album I wanted to lighten it up a little bit. I wanted some songs that have a mood, almost like a relaxing, ambient record. But it's not just a CD you pop in at a dinner party. I also wanted something you could groove to too when you're getting ready to go out."

The Make of Me is set for release in early 2012, and features the stylings of Juno-winner Brad Turner.

Images

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Make Of Me Promotional Cover (.jpg, 204 Kb) - « Download »
Good Life Album Cover (.jpg, 73 Kb) - « Download »
Chronograph Records Logo (.eps, 296 Kb) - « Download »

Video

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Contact Information

For sales and media inquiries, please contact:
Stephanie Hutchinson
General Manager
stephanie@chronographrecords.com
403-710-1908

MAKE OF ME SELECTED TRACKS

GOOD LIFE SELECTED TRACKS