Selma Savolainen
vocalist and composer
About
Selma Savolainen is an Emma Award–winning Finnish vocalist and composer whose work blends elements of jazz, experimental music, contemporary classical, and an alternative singer-songwriter sensibility. Her compositions and performances have positioned her as a distinctive voice in the Nordic music scene. Her second solo album, in the shade, will be released on May 15, 2026 on Whirlwind Recordings.
Savolainen gained international recognition with her debut solo album Horror Vacui (2023), released by the London-based Whirlwind Recordings. The album received the Emma Award for Best Jazz Album in 2024, Finland’s most prestigious music awards, often considered the Finnish equivalent of the Grammys. Featuring Savolainen’s original compositions, Horror Vacui explores themes of emptiness, renunciation, and sudden discovery, combining haunting vocal lines with intricate instrumental arrangements. Written in Music praised the album as “an album worth sitting down and truly immersing yourself in.”
Savolainen has performed at numerous high-profile festivals across Europe, including the EFG London Jazz Festival and Flow Festival. These appearances have further established her as a significant figure in the contemporary jazz and creative music worlds. Her live performances have been widely praised, with Helsingin Sanomat recognizing her as an artist who has brought Finnish vocal jazz to new heights.
Prior to Horror Vacui, Savolainen released Rubicon Songs (2019), a self-produced album that launched her reputation as a composer with exceptional narrative power. Finnish press described the band as “limitless and fascinating.”
Savolainen’s contributions to the music industry have been recognized with several awards. In 2022 she received the prestigious Pori Jazz Rising Talent Prize. In addition, her music received an honorary mention from the jury of the Teosto Prize, one of the most significant recognitions for innovative music in the Nordic countries.
Savolainen is also known for her collaborative projects. As a member of the vocal group Signe, she has been part of an ensemble that reimagines the possibilities of vocal music. Their work blends complex harmonies with improvisation, creating a sound that is both avant-garde and accessible. Finnish Music Quarterly described Signe’s music as “utterly original, uncategorisable art, blending folk, pop, barbershop, and choral singing into a sound that defies easy categorization.”
Her diverse collaborations further highlight her versatility as a vocalist and composer. She has recently worked with Finnish saxophonist Mikko Innanen, pianist Aki Rissanen, Dutch clarinetist Steven Kamperman, and Australian double bassist Helen Svoboda. Her commissioned works include compositions for the Grammy Award–winning Helsinki Chamber Choir and the Sointi Jazz Orchestra.
Savolainen holds a Master’s degree in Jazz Studies from the Sibelius Academy and has studied with internationally acclaimed artists including Jason Moran and Vijay Iyer. She is also an alumna of prestigious programs such as Betty Carter’s Jazz Ahead and the Banff International Workshop for Jazz and Creative Music.
Alongside her artistic work, Savolainen is an experienced vocal coach and artistic producer who encourages emerging musicians to explore improvisation, vocal technique, and creative expression. She has contributed as a vocal coach and producer on projects including Akkajee’s Pölynkerääjä and Pykäri’s U.F.O..
”There is an astonishing boldness in her lyrics and in the way she performs, a new kind of female perspective, which reminds of Chris Kraus.”
Music
Video
Press Photos
Tour
04/06/2026 Selma Savolainen in the shade (album release) G Livelab Helsinki
p a s t
31/01/2026 RESET Salle Robert Krieps, Luxembourg
30/01/2026 RESET neimënster abbey, Luxembourg
29/01/2026 RESET Cercle Cité, Luxembourg
18/01/2026 with Joonas Leppänen & Eero Tikkanen Old Sophie, Helsinki
07/12/2025 Selma Savolainen & Toomas Keski-Säntti Jazzus Club, Le Shed, Reims
04/12/2025 Selma Savolainen & Toomas Keski-Säntti Jazzycolors, Institut Finlandais, Paris
10/10/2025 Poems and Letters with SJO Sibelius-museo, Turku
08/10/2025 Poems and Letters with SJO Korjaamon Vintti, Helsinki
28/09/2025 Selma Savolainen & Eero Tikkanen Jazzkerho -76, Joensuu
27/09/2025 Selma Savolainen & Eero Tikkanen Painotalo, Äänekoski
26/09/2025 Selma Savolainen & Eero Tikkanen Kalevan Navetta, Seinäjoki
25/09/2025 Selma Savolainen & Eero Tikkanen Rantajatsiklubi, Raahe
24/09/2025 Selma Savolainen & Eero Tikkanen OMJ Jazz & Etno, Oulu
23/09/2025 Selma Savolainen & Eero Tikkanen G Livelab, Tampere
22/09/2025 Selma Savolainen & Eero Tikkanen Hietsu is Happening, Helsinki
19/09/2025 Mikko Innasen uusi kvintetti Åbo Svenska Teater, Turku
18/09/2025 Mikko Innasen uusi kvintetti G Livelab, Tampere
17/09/2025 Mikko Innasen uusi kvintetti G Livelab, Helsinki
15/09/2025 Mikko Innasen uusi kvintetti Kairo, Kotka
12/09/2025 Mikko Innasen uusi kvintetti Jazzkerho -76, Joensuu
11/09/2025 Mikko Innasen uusi kvintetti Poppari, Jyväskylä
10/09/2025 Mikko Innasen uusi kvintetti Teerenpeli, Kuopio
16/08/2025 Selma Savolainen Horror Vacui WeeGee, Espoo
02/08/2025 Karjalasta Urjalaan Pentinkulman päivät, Urjala
12/04/2025 with Aki Rissanen & Steven Kamperman Kalevan Navetta, Seinäjoki
13/04/2025 with Aki Rissanen & Steven Kamperman Rajamäki
14/04/2025 with Aki Rissanen & Steven Kamperman jaZZanti, Hakasalmen huvila
17/10/2024 Headwater Melbourne Fringe, Abbotsford Convent
18/10/2024 Headwater Melbourne Fringe, Abbotsford Convent
19/10/2024 Headwater Melbourne Fringe, Abbotsford Convent
28/09/2024 Signe Kalevan Navetta, Seinäjoki
27/09/2024 Selma Savolainen Horror Vacui 12 Points Festival, G Livelab Tampere
27/09/2024 Selma Savolainen & Toomas Keski-Säntti Pääkirjasto Metso, Tampere
26/09/2024 Mikko Innanen + EBB + Selma Savolainen Louhisali, Espoo
19/09/2024 Mikko Sarvanne Garden G Livelab Tampere
14/09/2024 Selma Savolainen Horror Vacui Suistoklubi, Hämeenlinna
06/09/2024 Selma Savolainen & Toomas Keski-Säntti Kamarikesä, Hvitträsk
21/08/2024 Hana with Max & Okko Bar Tÿpo, Helsinki
18/08/2024 Mikko Sarvanne Garden Tenalji Von Fersen, Helsinki
11/08/2024 Selma Savolainen Horror Vacui Flow Festival, Helsinki
04/08/2024 Signe Kokonainen-festivaali, Janakkala
29/07/2024 Selma Savolainen Horror Vacui Jazz-Espa, Helsinki
18/07/2024 Selma Savolainen in the shade Pori Jazz
12/07/2024 Signe Pori Jazz
11/07/2024 Selma Savolainen Horror Vacui Musiikkitalon terassi, Helsinki
13/06/2024 Eläköön Hietsu is Happening! Hietsun Paviljonki, Helsinki
17/05/2024 Mikko Sarvanne Garden Temppeliaukion kirkko, Helsinki
15/05/2024 Mikko Sarvanne Garden Rio, Oulu
14/05/2024 Mikko Sarvanne Garden Koutasali, Kajaani
12/05/2024 Mikko Sarvanne Garden Topeliussali, Sipoo
11/05/2024 Mikko Sarvanne Garden Logomo, Turku
10/05/2024 Mikko Sarvanne Garden Vanha123, Porvoo
08/05/2024 Mikko Sarvanne Garden Näyttämö, Joensuu
24/04/2024 Selma Savolainen Horror Vacui April Jazz, Espoo
21/04/2024 Bracelets Michelberger, Berlin
19/04/2024 Bracelets Sputnik, Paderborn
18/04/2024 Bracelets Teilchen & Beschleunige, Münster
17/04/2024 Bracelets Galerie Hunold, Greven
09/04/2024 Hana Tenho Restobar, Helsinki
05/04/2024 Selma Savolainen Horror Vacui Tallinn Music Week, Estonia
06/03/2024 Selma Savolainen Horror Vacui Turku Jazz Festival
14/02/2024 Valentine's Day Jazz Hotel AX, Helsinki
08/02/2024 Selma Savolainen Horror Vacui Malmitalo, Helsinki
31/01/2024 Selma Savolainen Horror Vacui Sellosali, Espoo
21/01/2024 Talven uneen vaipuen w/ Signe Saksalainen kirkko, Helsinki
07/12/2023 Selma Savolainen/Arto Ikävalko/
Joonas Tuuri/Ville Luukkonen Manala Afterwork Jazz, Helsinki
02/12/2023 Mikko Sarvanne Garden Amos Anderson Hem, Helsinki
27/10/2023 Hana meets EAT THE FROG Münsterland Festival, Germany
10/10/2023 Signe G Livelab, Tampere
08/10/2023 Signe Tenho Restobar, Helsinki
06/10/2023 Signe EMMA, April Jazz Club
29/09/2023 Selma Savolainen Horror Vacui Porvoo Jazz Festival
30/08/2023 Signe Kerava Jazz
11/08/2023 Mikko Sarvanne Garden Flow Festival, Helsinki
03/08/2023 Mikko Innasen uusi kvintetti Jazz-Espa, Helsinki
31/07/2023 Signe Jazz-Espa, Helsinki
29/07/2023 Selman ja Bunuelin Luxus-orkesteri Raahen Rantajatsit
28/07/2023 Selma Savolainen Horror Vacui Raahen Rantajatsit
16/07/2023 Mikko Sarvanne Garden Mitäs Mitäs Mitäs, Urjala
14/06/2023 Signe Validi Karkia, Pori
29/05/2023 Signe JaZZanti, Helsinki
24/05/2023 Imaginary Ladies Cité International Des Arts, Paris
03/05/2023 with Aki Rissanen & Steven Kamperman Cité International Des Arts, Paris
18/04/2023 Crystal sound project Conservatoire Maurice Ravel, Paris
31/03/2023 Signe feat. Mila Laine Flame Jazz, Turku
21/02/2023 Moon On Fire JaZZanti — Oodi-library, Helsinki
18/02/2023 Moon On Fire Jazz For Kids, Espoo
09/01/2023 Mikko Sarvanne Garden Ääniwalli, Helsinki
08/01/2023 Mikko Sarvanne Garden Kalevan Navetta, Seinäjoki
04/12/2022 Selma Savolainen & Jyväskylä Big Band Siltasali, Jyväskylä
02/12/2022 Mikko Sarvanne Garden EMMA, Espoo
04/11/2022 Selma Savolainen Horror Vacui Telakka, Tampere Jazz Happening
27/10/2022 Tölöläb Kalliosali, Helsinki
06/10/2022 Archipélagos JAZZMI Milano, Italy
03/09/2022 Mikko Innasen Uusi Kvintetti Loviisan Sibeliuspäivät, Loviisa
12/08/2022 Signe Tuusulan taiteiden yö, Tuusula
09/08/2022 Selma Savolainen Horror Vacui Kesän nuoret taiteilijat, Helsinki
05/08/2022 Selma ja Eero Kuusiluoto, Helsinki
23/07/2022 Selma Savolainen Horror Vacui Korpo Sea Jazz
23/07/2022 Portside Jazz Korpo Sea Jazz
22/07/2022 Selma ja Eero Korpo Sea Jazz
21/07/2022 Signe Runosaari, Naantali
20/07/2022 Signe Kirkkopuiston terassi, Turku
14/07/2022 Selma Savolainen Horror Vacui Poriljonki, Pori Jazz
01/07/2022 Archipélagos Bermeo Jazz Festival, Spain
29/06/2022 Archipélagos Getxo Jazz Festival, Spain
04/06/2022 Selma Juudit Alessandra Hard Rock House, Helsinki
28/05/2022 Crystal sound project Sofia Live Club, Bulgaria
26/04/2022 Signe Kivi, Tampere
21/04/2022 Signe Vaba Lava, Tallinn
07/12/2021 Horror Vacui Ravintola Laulumiehet, Helsinki
03/12/2021 Selma Juudit Alessandra WeeGee, Espoo
02/12/2021 Selma Juudit Alessandra Ravintola Poppari, Jyväskylä
01/12/2021 Selma Juudit Alessandra Kulttuurikellari, Savonlinna
30/11/2021 Selma Juudit Alessandra Hygge Bro, Kuopio
29/11/2021 Selma Juudit Alessandra Kiteesali, Kitee
19/11/2021 Signe (a l b u m r e l e a s e) Vapaan Taiteen Tila, Helsinki
11/11/2021 Selma Juudit Alessandra Raahesali, Raahe
10/11/2021 Selma Juudit Alessandra Voimala 1889, Oulu
09/11/2021 Selma Juudit Alessandra Kerubin sali, Joensuu
08/11/2021 Selma Juudit Alessandra Kulttuuritalo Marita, Outokumpu
05/08/2021 Signe Elojazz, Oulu
31/07/2021 Elifantree with friends Raahen rantajatsit, Raahe
31/07/2021 Eero Tikkanen & Selma Savolainen Raahen rantajatsit, Raahe
30/07/2021 Signe Raahen rantajatsit, Raahe
05/02/2021 Mikko Innanen F60.8 + Musica Nova Helsinki
Selma Savolainen&Juha Rautio
Bookings (Finland) in the shade
Ilja Amnell, Alt Agency ilja(a)altagency.fi
Label
Whirlwind Recordings
md(a)whirlwindrecordings.com
Bookings and other inquiries
selmajasavolainen(a)gmail.com