Biography
Without debate, and by all accounts, music has always played a major part in the life of Johanna Sillanpaa. Originally from Borås, Sweden, she carries with her a strong and sultry voice, as she continues to make her mark on the international music scene.
From the moment she discovered her love for singing she knew she was in for a life long journey, one she didn’t really choose, but rather, one that chose her.
Johanna has an extensive musical background, and by the age of 14 she was performing in nightclubs and on cruise ships, competing in singing competitions all over Scandinavia as well recording with several groups and projects.
By the age of 16, Johanna had been presented with two different recording deals in Sweden as well as in France.
Upon her arrival in Canada in the mid nineties she attended and graduated the Grant MacEwan Music Program in Edmonton, Alberta and continued to expand her education, studying Jazz vocals workshops with the legendary Sheila Jordan and Jay Clayton at the Banff School of fine arts in Banff, Alberta.
“Those years truly changed me as a vocalist. I began to discover so many different colors in my voice and started to learn how to use it to it’s full potential”
Following her passion for music, Johanna would take on various projects, freelancing with Jazz and R&B acts throughout Canada and the United States. Johanna spent a few years performing with the funk & soul band YOMOZO and although she loved the experience and loved the style of music, she also knew she needed to pave her own path as an artist, to stand up and speak her mind through writing her own music.
“I knew I wasn’t about to re-invent the wheel, but I still wanted to make my mark somehow. My songs are about my experiences and my observations, they may not change the world, but I couldn’t have a career in music and never say anything”
It was around this time that she met up with guitarist Aaron Young, whom today is her songwriting partner in the her “Urban acoustic” side project ‘Sillan & Young’ as well as producer of her album “Good Life”.
In the beginning days of ‘Sillan & Young’ the intension was quite simple and modest, just to do a few gigs and play some music they both loved. The music on the other hand seemed to have a plan of it’s own and after a little while the songs were writing themselves. This was the fall of 2004 and the time their first album “Better thing” was born. ‘Sillan & Young’ are now in the process of recording their 2nd album, for more information on ‘Sillan & Young’ please visit the website www.sillanyoung.com
“The Album “Good life” is my real debut and it’s very special to me. Everything in my life has happened for a reason and has made me who I am, this album is a reflection of that”
The stellar and supporting cast of “Good life” features Aaron Young on guitar as well as both co-writers Chris Andrew and Sheldon Zandboer on Piano and keyboards. ‘Sillan & Young’ bassist Kodi Hutchinson and former drummer Rob Vulic are heard laying the grooves, and the soulful sounds of Shannon Couture’s Background vocals is the icing on the cake.
These days it may be rare to hear of new talent on the music scene who can write and perform in the tradition of the best contemporary musicians. Johanna Sillanpaa is one of those rare gifted singer/songwriters who has an emotional depth beyond her years and a voice that only comes along perhaps once in a century. The Album “Good Life” is a sizzling indication of who Johanna is and where she’s at, her passion for music and singing is continuously bold and her dedication is undeniable.
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