AILI IKONEN

Singer, composer and lyricist Aili Ikonen is one of the most in-demand jazz vocalists in Finland, praised for her sensitive yet strong interpretation, wide vocal range and thoroughly flawless scat technique. 

Ikonen has released five solo albums, Valo (2024), Helposti palavaa (2023), Suru ei oo suora viiva (2020), Piirrä minut (2017) and Laulan (2016). Her latest album, Valo, recorded with the Oulu Symphony Orchestra and conductor Rumon Gamba, was released on 26 July 2024.

Aili Ikonen has been featured as a soloist by many of the most prestigious orchestras in Scandinavia, such as UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra, Sinfonia Lahti, Norrbotten Big Band and Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra.

  • She is known for many innovative collaborations with highly esteemed artists and bands such as Jukka Perko, Valtteri Laurell Pöyhönen and Hector. Aili Ikonen is also a member of the vocal group Rajaton. 

    Ikonen has released four solo albums: Helposti palavaa (2023) Suru ei oo suora viiva (2020), Piirrä minut (2017) and Laulan (2016). In 2013, Aili Ikonen teamed up with the hotly tipped Finnish jazz trio HERD in order for Jazzbasilli, a celebration of the 1960's golden era Finnish jazz-schlager. The same year Ikonen's album Tribute to Ella was released, paying homage to one of the greatest vocal stylists and improvisers of all time, Ella Fitzgerald.

    In 2018, Aili Ikonen and Jukka Perko Avara released an album Laulu keskeneräinen consisting of songs made famous by Dusty Springfield. The lyrics were newly written in Finnish by Hector, one of the most appreciated singer-songwriters in Finland.

    In addition to composing her own music, Ikonen has been writing and arranging music for a cappella group Rajaton.

    She has been writing and arranging music also for many other collaborations, such as dance productions.

    In 2021 Blosari Kustannus released a Songbook called Aili Ikonen Songbook – Nuori vapaa nainen, consisting of Ikonen’s compositions.

"Rarely do you hear such an arrestingly perfect opening track as jazz singer Aili Ikonen's Piirrä minut album Että näkisin sinut taas. It makes it clear once again that there is no need to skimp on superlatives when it comes to Ikonen's vocals."

– Etelä-Suomen Sanomat / Jusa Hämäläinen 16.10.2017

"Thus, thoughtful, sophisticated and timeless vocal jazz is heard, in which Ikonen, arguably a great vocalist, looms as the main star, although the band rises nicely to support both the drama of the songs and the more arresting moods."

— Soundi, Niko Peltonen 9/2020

Watch the latest video

 

  • 1. Valo
    compos. & lyrics. Aili Ikonen, arr. Sampo Kasurinen
    2. Läpi harmaan sumun
    compos. & lyrics. Aili Ikonen, arr. Jaakko Kuusisto
    3. Luonasi sun
    compos. Michel Legrand, fin. by Hector, dir. Jaakko Kuusisto
    4. Toivo
    compos. & lyrics. Aili Ikonen, dir. Mikko Hassinen
    5. Syli
    compos. Aili Ikonen, Mikko Pellinen, lyrics. Aili Ikonen, arr. Mikko Hassinen
    6. Pariisi (Song for Grandma)
    compos. & lyrics. Aili Ikonen, sop. Mikko Hassinen
    7. Piirrä minut
    compos. & lyrics. Aili Ikonen, sop. Mikko Pellinen
    8.Että näkisin sinut taas
    compos. & lyrics. Aili Ikonen, sop. Mikko Pellinen
    9. Armaalle
    compos. & lyrics. Aili Ikonen, sop. Jaakko Kuusisto
    10. Katselen taivaalta
    compos. & lyrics. Aili Ikonen, sop. Mikko Pellinen
    11. Kotkan poikii ilman siipii 
    compos. & lyrics. Juha Vainio, arr. Mikko Pellinen

    Oulu Sinfonia
    Rumon Gamba - Conductor
    Aili Ikonen - Vocals
    Tuomas J. Turunen - Piano
    Mikko Pellinen - Double Bass
    Mikko Arlin - Drums
    William Suvanne - Saxophone (4)
    Janne Toivonen - Trumpet (10)
    Pekka Kuusisto - Violin (11)

    Recording by Miikka Huttunen, Matti Heinonen, Sofia Riippi (Madetojan hall & Sonic Pump Studios)
    Mixing by Miikka Huttunen
    Mastering by Tommi Vainikainen
    Producers Aili Ikonen, Mikko Pellinen, Janne Toivonen

    Photos and covers - Tero Ahonen
    Muah - Riia Koivisto
    Style assistant - Reetta Korhonen

    Laulan Music

    On the album Valo, Ikonen's songs meet the power of a large orchestra. Valo is a musical mosaic full of the living, breathing sound of a magnificent orchestra, in which Ikonen's previously recorded songs are refined into a completely new entity. Mikko Pellinen, Mikko Hassinen, Sampo Kasurinen, and the late Jaakko Kuusisto, who was a strong contributor to the creation of the whole, are responsible for the orchestral arrangements on the album.

Discography

  • 1. Alku
    2. Juosta
    3. Hehku
    4. Pariisi (Laulu isoäidille)
    5. Häälaulu
    6. Miehen kylkiluu
    7. Perhonen
    8. Kauniisti kadoksissa
    9. Peilikuva
    10. Tunteet

    Compositions and lyrics by Aili Ikonen, except (2, 5) säv. Aili Ikonen and Mikko Pellinen, san. Aili Ikonen. Arrangements by Mikko Pellinen.

    Aili Ikonen – vocals, violin (5, 7)
    Janne Toivonen – trumpet, flugelhorn
    William Suvanne – saxophones
    Tuomas J. Turunen – piano
    Mikko Pellinen – double bass, organ (5), harmonium (5, 7), ukulele bass (6), percussion (6)
    Mikko Arlin – drums, percussion

    Seela Sella – spoken word (2)
    Tuuli Ikonen – vocals (2, 5)
    Heini Ikonen – vocals (2, 5)
    Jussi Chydenius – vocals (5)
    Salla Hakkola – harp (1, 5, 9, 10)

    Recording, mixing and programming -Joonas Saikkonen
    Producers - Aili Ikonen and Mikko Pellinen
    Assistant producer - Joonas Saikkonen
    Mastering - Jarno Alho / Alho Audio Mastering

    Photos - Heli Blåfield
    Album covers - Sanna Turunen
    Layout - Annette Tamminen
    Make-up and hair - Riia Koivisto

    Laulan Music

    An album of organic pop music with jazz spices. The album deals with the perception of one's own place in this time, in different roles – as a person, as a woman, as part of society and a larger continuum. The name "easily burning" refers, on the one hand, to the blink-of-an brevity of life and, on the other hand, to reflections on one's own limits; To what extent should you stretch your limits and how do you live your own life with a bright flame without burning out?

  • 1. Valo
    2. Pisaroita pihlajassa
    3. Läpi harmaan sumun
    4. Kevät
    5. Ja minä sinua
    6. Sininen viitta
    7. Sanat
    8. Toivo
    9. Sinuun minä nojaan
    10. Kuuntelen kuinka puut puhuvat

    Compositions and lyrics by Aili Ikonen, except (9, 10) säv. Aili Ikonen & Mikko Pellinen, san. Aili Ikonen. Arrangements by Mikko Pellinen.

    Aili Ikonen - vocals, violin (10)
    Janne Toivonen - trumpet and flugelhorn
    William Suvanne - saxophones, flute and clarinet
    Tuomas J. Turunen - piano, harmonium (10)
    Mikko Pellinen - double bass
    Mikko Arlin - drums and percussion
    Juho Kanervo - cello (1, 9)

    Recording - Miikka Huttunen / Finnvox
    Mixing - Miikka Huttunen / Sonic Pump Studios
    Mastering - Svante Forsbäck / Chartmakers
    Photos - Heli Blåfield
    Covers - Sanna Turunen
    Make-up and hair - Riia Koivisto

    Groovy Records

    The album explores themes of comfort, trust, renunciation and surrender to life. In the songs, light and shadow alternate, as well as the transitional space between them, in which colors mix.

  • 1. Kun oot vierelläin
    2. Rakastunut jokainen
    3. Mielen tuulimyllyt
    4. Eilen kun mä tiennyt en
    5. Luonasi sun
    6. Molemmilta puolilta
    7. I think it’s going to rain today

    Aili Ikonen - vocals
    Jukka Perko - saxophones
    Teemu Viinikainen - acoustic guitar
    Jarmo Saari - electric guitar

    Recording and mixing - Kimmo Antikainen / Kallio-Kuninkala / Matrixtor Music Studio
    Mastering - Svante Forsbäck / Chartmakers
    Album cover - Pekka Tuppurainen
    Photos - Maarit Kytöharju

    Levypallo Oy

    Aili Ikonen and Jukka Perko Avara joined forces for the first time on the album Laulu unfinished, released in April 2019, inspired by the handiwork of legendary songwriters of the 1960s. The nostalgic tunes are given a new life on the album as fresh translations, most of which were written by Hector, the great man of Finnish pop lyricism.

  • 1. Että näkisin sinut taas
    2. Piirrä minut
    3. Nuori vapaa nainen
    4. Yöllä
    5. Laulu merestä
    6. Syli
    7. Tää ei voi odottaa
    8. Katselen taivaalta
    9. Armaalle

    Compositions and lyrics by Aili Ikonen, except (3) säv. & san. Aili Ikonen & Mikko Pellinen and (6) säv. Aili Ikonen & Mikko Pellinen, san. Aili Ikonen.
    All arrangements by Mikko Pellinen, except (9) Aili Ikonen.

    Aili Ikonen - vocals, violin (6)
    Janne Toivonen - trumpet and flugelhorn
    William Suvanne, - saxophones, flute and clarinet
    Tuomas J. Turunen - piano
    Mikko Pellinen - double bass
    Mikko Arlin - drums and percussion
    Maija Linkola - violin (1, 5, 8)
    Laura Airola - violin (1, 5, 8)
    Rémi Moingeon - viola (1, 5, 8)
    Riikka Lampinen - cello (1, 5, 8)

    Recording and mixing - Kimmo Antikainen / Kallio-Kuninkala
    Mastering - Svante Forsbäck / Chartmakers
    Photos and cover design - Tero Ahonen

    Groovy Records

    Songs about fleeting moments, sleepless nights, frantic thirst and colors mixed with water.

  • 1. Kesälle (säv. & san. Aili Ikonen, sov. Mikko Pellinen)
    2. Laulan (säv. A. Ikonen, san. Kanerva Pasanen, sov. M.Pellinen)
    3. Uskon unelmiin (säv. & san. A. Ikonen, sov. M.Pellinen)
    4. Raapaisit pintaa (säv. M.Pellinen, san. Timo Kiiskinen, sov. M.Pellinen)
    5. Haloo haloo (säv. M. Pellinen, san. Kanerva Pasanen, sov. M.Pellinen)
    6. Höyhen (säv. M.Pellinen, san. Aili Ikonen, sov. M.Pellinen)
    7. Luonasi sun (What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?) (säv. Michel Legrand, suom. Hector, sov. M.Pellinen)
    8. Pussi ja passi (A-Tisket A-Tasket, säv. Van Alexander / Ella Fitzgerald, suom. Timo Kiiskinen, sov. M.Pellinen)
    9. Nostat mua (säv. M. Pellinen, san. Timo Kiiskinen, sov. M.Pellinen)
    10. Sahara (säv. M. Pellinen, san. Heidi Maria Paalanen, sov. M.Pellinen)
    11. Beibin blues (säv. & san. Aili Ikonen, sov. M.Pellinen)

    Aili Ikonen - vocals
    Janne Toivonen - trumpet and flugelhorn
    William Suvanne - saxophones and flute
    Tuomas J. Turunen - piano
    Mikko Pellinen - double bass
    Mikko Arlin - drums and congas
    Ikonen's sisters - Aili, Tuuli and Heini Ikonen, vocals (4)

    Recording - Tommi Vainikainen / Finnvox / February 2016
    Mixing: - Tommi Vainikainen / MusicWorks
    Mastering - Jaakko Viitalähde / Virtalähde Mastering
    Photos and cover design - Tero Ahonen

    Groovy Records

    My first solo album, inspired by the American jazz tradition of the 50s and Finnish jazz music.

  • 1. Älä minua (säv. & san Vesa Norilo)
    2. Tyttö itki (säv. Milla Viljamaa, san. Milla Viljamaa/trad.)
    3. Liikaa (säv. & san Vesa Norilo)
    4. Yön kämmenellä (säv. Milla Viljamaa, san. Aila Meriluoto)
    5. Päivätär (säv. Aili Ikonen, san. Aili Ikonen/trad.)
    6. Kuutar (säv. & san Vesa Norilo)
    7. Ilman impi (säv. & san Vesa Norilo)
    8. Keinu (säv. & san Milla Viljamaa)
    9. Edelin uni (säv. & san Vesa Norilo)
    10. Musta perhonen (säv. Milla Viljamaa, san. Milla Viljamaa/trad)
    11. Mataloita maita kuljin (säv. & san Milla Viljamaa)

    Aili Ikonen – vocals, violin
    Milla Viljamaa – piano
    Vesa Norilo – cello, wood flute
    Sara Puljula – percussion
    Pekka Kuusisto – violin, viola (4,9,10,11)

    Recording - Mikko Oinonen / Finnvox and Vesa Norilo / Sibelius Academy
    Mixing and mastering - Vesa Norilo
    Cover art - Jari Paananen
    Cover design - Pekka Tuppurainen

    Groovy Records

    Hereä’s second album was done persistently and it paid off. Veden värit received a nomination for the 2017 Finnish Grammys, Emma, in the Category of Folk Music.

  • 1. How high the moon (M.Lewis/N.Hamilton)
    2. What is this thing called love (C.Porter )
    3. Little jazz (R. Eldridge)
    4. Love for sale (C.Porter )
    5. In a sentimental mood (D.Ellington/I.Mills&M.Kurtz)
    6. They can't take that away from me (G.Gershwin&I.Gershwin)
    7. Night in Tunisia (D.Gillespie&F.Paparelli)
    8. The man I love (G.Gershwin/I.Gershwin)

    Aili Ikonen - vocals
    Mikko Pellinen - bass and arrangements
    Janne Toivonen - trumpet and flugelhorn
    William Suvanne - saxophones and flute
    Tuomas J. Turunen - piano
    Mikko Arlin - drums

    Recorded at Midas studios on 23.9.12012 / Anders Höglund.
    Mixing - Tommi Vainikainen
    Mastering - Jaakko Viitalähde

    Fredriksson Music

    The album is dedicated to Ella Fitzgerald, one of the best and most famous jazz singers of all time.

  • 1. Oglütz (Outi Tarkiainen)
    2. Arco Íris (Christian Spering/Outi Tarkiainen, lyrics Mirja Mäkelä)
    3. Contemplations (Outi Tarkiainen)
    4. Freedom Surrendered (Outi Tarkiainen, lyrics Sirkka Turkka)
    5. Cayo Coco (Tero Saarti/Mikko Pettinen/Outi Tarkiainen)
    6. Thus the Fairies Disappear (Outi Tarkiainen)
    7. Into the Woodland Silence (Outi Tarkiainen, lyrics Eeva-Liisa Manner/Sirkka Turkka)
    8. Mörkö (Bugbear) (Mirja Mäkelä/Outi Tarkiainen)

    Norrbotten Big Band
    Outi Tarkiainen - conductor and compositions
    Aili Ikonen - vocals

    Fredriksson Music

    Outi and I got to know each other during my studies at the Sibelius Academy's jazz music department, when I sang in the ensemble founded by Outi. Many years and many experiences later, we found ourselves on a plane on our way to northern Sweden and the Norrbotten Big Band, with whom we did a memorable tour of Sweden and later also an album. Outi's compositions have presented me with many developmental challenges as a singer. I am very grateful to have been able to work and make friends with Outi.

  • 1. Sons (trad, san. Sauk)
    2. Jazz Bacilli (Horace Silver) Kari Tuomisaari)
    3. Light in the window (Eino Hurme, san. Sauk)
    4. The Whims of the Maiden (Domenigo Montugno) Sauk)
    5. I could have danced all night (Alan Lerner/Frederick Loewe) Sauk)
    6. The eagle calves without wings (Junnu Vainio, sov. Aili Ikonen)
    7. In the evening, in the evening (Sandro Taccani)
    8. The Chocolate Heart (enc. G. Clarkson/H. Clarkson/Siegmann) Sauk)
    9. Do you remember Monrepos (säv. Erik Lindström, San. Aili Runne)
    10. Telephone wires sing (säv. Pentti Viherluoto, san. Harry South)
    11. Who has gold, for luck (Richard Adler/Robert Allen)

    Aili Ikonen - vocals
    Panu Savolainen - vibraphone
    Mikko Pellinen - double bass
    Tuomas Timonen - drums

    Recorded and mixed in Kallio-Kuninkala, Järvenpää, Finland in June-July 2013.
    Recording and mixing - Kimmo Antikainen
    Mastering - Jaakko Viitalähde / Virtalähde Mastering

    Beaver Music

    In 2012, HERD's Panu, Mikko and Tuomas asked me to be a guest at their jazz club. We quickly found common ground on the jazz theme. However, no one guessed at that point that this single gig would first lead to an album in 2013 and finally to a truly memorable period of a year and a half as we plowed the Finnish festival map for about 50 gigs. Important memories and wonderful guys, as well as Sublime's Pia Kuisma, who kept us on the line with her gentle but confident grip. Thanks to this album, I also got to know the wonderful and luminous Vieno Kekkonen!

  • 1. You Have Won the Day (Jori Huhtala)
    2. Blindfold (Aili Ikonen)
    3. Mrs. T (Jori Huhtala)
    4. Taken to the clouds (säv. Antti Kujanpää, san. Aili Ikonen)
    5. Sailor (Aili Ikonen)
    6. Waltz (säv. Antti Kujanpää, san. Aili Ikonen)
    7. Odyssey (verse) Antti Kujanpää, san. Aili Ikonen)
    8. Her Hour (Jori Huhtala)
    9. Ante Meridiem Antti Kujanpää, san. Aili Ikonen)
    10. Crystal (Hanne Pulli)

    Aili Ikonen - vocals
    Antti Kujanpää - piano
    Jori Huhtala - bass
    Hanne Pulli - drums

    Recording - Kallio-Kuninkala Järvenpää / Tommi Vainikainen
    Mixing - MusicWorks Studio / Tommi Vainikainen
    Mastering - Kuu Laboratories / Tommi Vainikainen and Antti Kujanpää

    Moon Records

    My longest-serving jazz ensemble, Kvalda, celebrated its tenth anniversary with the release of their third full-length album.

  • Aili Ikonen - vocals
    Hannu Oskala - accordion
    Petri Kivimäki - guitar
    Arttu Kataja - keyboards
    Tero Tuovinen - bass
    Pekka Saarikorpi - drums, percussion

    Texicalli Records

    The third full-length album by a Finnish pop group combining different musical styles, such as jazz, soul and folk music.

  • Aili Ikonen - vocals
    Antti Kujanpää - piano
    Jori Huhtala - bass
    Hanne Pulli - drums

    Recording - Kallio-Kuninkala Järvenpää / Tommi Vainikainen
    Mixing - MusicWorks Studio / Tommi Vainikainen

    Texicalli Records

    Kvalda’s second album.

  • Aili Ikonen – vocals, violin
    Milla Viljamaa – piano
    Vesa Norilo – cello, wood flute
    Sara Puljula – percussion

    Plastinka Records

    Hereä's debut album.

  • Aili Ikonen - vocals
    Antti Kujanpää - piano
    Jori Huhtala - bass
    Hanne Pulli - drums

    Recording and mixing - Jyväskylä Vocational College Conservatory Studio / Sami Varvikko

    Self-published

    Kvalda's debut album and at the same time my first recording.

"Basically the best vocalist we've had by a fair amount', is how my notes read, no small thing given the much-promoted appearances of [Mari] Boine and [Hanne] Hukkelberg." 

– AllAboutJazz.com @ Varangerfestivalen 2007 / Mark Sabbatini

"The musicians' reaction to each other, the human sounds and the beautiful lyrics make Suru ei oo suora viiva the number one comfort album this fall."

— Helsingin Sanomat / Mari Koppinen 10.10.2020