J o h a n n a E l i n a S u l k u n e n is a Finnish experimental vocalist, composer, and improviser based in Copenhagen. Sulkunen's work spans free improvisation, electronic music, and avant-garde. Working with the voice as both instrument and sonic material, Sulkunen explores the boundaries of language, sound, and embodiment through composition, improvisation, and electronics.
Her practice spans solo works, ensemble writing, and interdisciplinary collaborations, often merging acoustic and electronic textures into immersive sonic landscapes.
Sulkunen's work spans free improvisation, electronic music, and avant-garde. Her debut album 'Our Garden' was released in 2009, followed by 'Belonging' 2016. In 2018, she returned as a solo performer under the new moniker SONORITY.
SONORITY live concerts, she often performs as an audiovisual whole -solo on stage as a hybrid between visual artist Tapani Toivanen- creating immersive concert experiences.
She has toured widely across Europe and Asia, including major festivals and venues like Roskilde Festival, Spot Festival, Roma Europa Festival, Seoul Music Week, venues like Bimhaus, Flagey, NOSPR.
C O L L A B O R A T I O N S
Johanna frequently collaborates with other artists in Copenhagen's vibrant music scene and internationally. She has performed with iconic jazz & improv, and electronic musicians such as Tomasz Stańko, Bjørn Svin, Blixa Bargeld, Michiyo Yagi, Burkhard Beins, Lisa Ullén, Axel Dörner, Mike Sheridan, and many others. She has also worked on various interdisciplinary projects, collaborating with dancers, poets, filmmakers, and theater / instructors like Shargon Oshana, Marie Dahl, and Kirsten Dehlholm. She is a founding member of the acclaimed and boundary-breaking Scandinavian vocal group IKI.
IKI
DUO with BJØRN SVIN
DUO with X MICHIYO YAGI
KAHINA Johanna Elina Sulkunen (vocals/composition), Randi Pontoppidan (vocals/composition), Guro Tveitnes (vocals), Jullie Hjetland (vocals), Kamilla Kovacs (vocals), Carolyn Goodwin (bass clarinet), Mika Persdotter (viola), Anne Andersen (trumpet), Ida Bach Jensen (double bass) and Maria Dybbroe (saxophone).
SHIVERS Johanna Elina Sulkunen - voice, Lisa Ullén - piano, Burkhard Beins - percussion/objects, Louise Jensen- reeds, Henrik Olsson - guitar )
SCANDINAVIAN ART ENSEMBLE Johanna Elina Sulkunen vocal, Snorri Sigurðarson trumpet, Tomasz Dąbrowski trumpet, Thomas Hass saxophone, Artur Tuźnik piano, Martin Fabricius vibraphone, Richard Andersson double bass, Radek Wośko drums. Albums released with Tomasz Stanko (trumpet)
CALUM BUILDER self-constructed organ, voices: Zola Mennenoeh, Johanna Elina Sulkunen
HOTEL PROFORMA 'Flammenwerfer' with IKI/ Blixa Bargeld/ Niels Frahm (music)
AIKA (Johanna ELina Sulkunen - voc/compositions with Tapani Toivanen - bass/ compositions, Simon Toldam-piano, synths, Olavi Louhivuori - drums)
S E L E C T E D D I S C O G R A P H Y
Although Changed I arise the same, by Calum Builder
(Re)Constructed Pipe Organ and voices
2026, Thanatosis
Vinyl, Digital
CPH SESSIONS VOL.2 feat. Tomasz Stańko / SCANDINAVIAN ART ENSEMBLE
2025, April Records
Vinyl, Digital
CPH SESSIONS VOL.1 feat. Tomasz Stańko / SCANDINAVIAN ART ENSEMBLE
2025, April Records
Vinyl, Digital
BODY / IKI
2025, Tila
Vinyl, CD, digital
COEXISTENCE / Johanna Sulkunen Sonority
2024, Tila
Vinyl, CD, digital, booklet
TERRA / Johanna Sulkunen Sonority
2021, Tila
Vinyl, CD, digital
AIKA / Tila
2021, Amp Music & Records
Vinyl, CD, digital
KOAN / Johanna Sulkunen Sonority
2018, ILK
Vinyl, digital
ORACLE / IKI
2018, DME
Vinyl, CD, digital
SKUGGOR OCH LJUS / Joel Illerhag Nephilim Ensemble
2017, Gateway
CD, digital
PLASTIC ISLAND / Plastic Island
2016, Gateway
Digital
BELONGING / Johanna Elina
2016, Eclipse Music / DME
CD, digital
DEW / IKI
2016, DME
LAVA / IKI
2014, DME
IKI / IKI
2011, ILK
OUR GARDEN / Johanna Elina
2011, Eclipse Music / Divine Records
A W A R D S AND M E N T I O N S
2025 Selected artist - Sonic Diplomacy- in collaboration with the Royal Danish Embassy. Japan.
2022 Terra, Sonority Nominated for Album of the Year. Danish Music Awards.
2018–2026 Working grants from Koda, the Danish Arts Foundation, DMF, AUTOR, Komponistforeningen, Sasakawa Foundation and Toyota Fonden.
2020 Selected artist, Asienprojekt, Jazz Danmark.
2020–2022 Two-year working grant from Koneen Säätiö for Sonority.
2016 Belonging Nominated for Vocal Album of the Year, Danish
Music Awards & Upcoming Composer/Songwriter of the Year, DJBFA.
2011 IKI Danish Music Award for Jazz Vocal Album of the Year.