Swedish Hymns Nurtured by Jazz Musicians On New Release

Vocalist Johanna Grüssner and pianist-arranger Mika Pohjola, whose cooperation spans twenty years, have done it again: This time they nurture old Swedish hymns with origins going as far as Martin Luther and Aurelius Ambrosius, but also with a few newbies on the 13-track setlist.

Svenska psalmer - Swedish Hymns is a fresh and organic crossover album; the Christian message meets new harmonies and jazz improvisation, not to forget influences from the Swedish choir tradition.

Grüssner, who is originally from the Åland Islands, interprets the lyrics with her well-known articulation and jazz feel. Four of the hymns have been arranged for a cappella voice where Grüssner sings all voices. On the remaining nine hymns, she is accompanied by a trio led by Pohjola on piano, who is also credited as the arranger of the album, with bassist Fernando Huergo and drummer Roberto Dani. As a whole this is an album of style and creativity, where the lyrics and message are given the attention they deserve. In spite of the vocal characteristics of the album, it is the arrangements which make these hymns exciting and creative.

Pohjola has earlier worked on several albums with Scandinavian themes as a prolific arranger: The Moomin Voices fairy-tale album was released with Grüssner in 2003, Scandinavian Yuletide Voices - Christmas album in 2005 and Nu blir sommar - Swedish Traditional Songs, another Pohjola-Grüssner duo cooperation, in 2006. Otherwise Pohjola's discography contains jazz albums with his several New York based groups, free improvisations, not to forget Tango albums and duo albums with several vocalists.