Aili Järvelä, one of Finland’s most compelling singer-songwriters and composers, has captivated both audiences and critics with her remarkable versatility. She is known not only for her strong roots in folk music, but above all as a gifted songwriter, composer, and soulful performer.
 

Throughout her career, Järvelä has released several solo albums, written music for professional orchestras, big bands, choirs, and various ensembles, composed a musical, worked as a freelance musician in numerous groups, and performed in award-winning folk music bands. In addition to all this, she has taught at more than a hundred Näppäri folk music workshops, a well-known Finnish folk music education method for young and amateur musicians.
 

Järvelä’s 2020 song Roihuvuori was voted among the 50 best Finnish lyrics of the millennium by readers of Helsingin Sanomat. Her first musical, Katrina (2024), received glowing reviews and overwhelming audience acclaim. Her latest solo album, VUORI (2025), released independently, has been widely praised — journalist Pekka Laine listed it among the year’s most significant Finnish releases. On the album, Järvelä is accompanied by the Ostrobothnian Chamber Orchestra, harpist Laura Hynninen, and percussionist Samuli Kosminen. VUORI is yet another powerful testament to Järvelä’s creative vision, as she composed, wrote, arranged, and produced the entire work herself.
 

She is currently composing a new musical, an upcoming international large-scale production.