jenni venäläinen

is a kantele artist, composer, folk musician and pedagogue.

In her solo work she is exploring the rich sound of kantele, diving deep to the minimalistic Karelian and Finnish kantele tradition as well as Nordic tradition. Folk music, improvisation and composing are her passions.

She is performing actively in Finland, Nordic and Baltic countries. Jenni finds interesting to combine the Karelian kantele tradition to Nordic folk singing tradition and creates music that explores the deep varying emotions of human life. She has won the prestigious Konsta Jylhä competition with her solo improvisation (2024) and with her band Aoide (2018).

The recent years Jenni has focused on the danceable side of Karelian kantele tradition and created modern kantele party music by blending electronic music with the tradition. Nordic Notes released her debut album “Melkutus Party” in 2023 and the band Melkutus Party has toured since the summer 2023.

Nordic Notes will release Melkutus Party’s first album as a band in 2026.