biography

Juha Kujanpää (b.1974) is a Finnish composer and musician who operates masterfully in the no-man’s land between folk music, jazz and rock.

Kujanpää’s most recent works include his solo albums “To Where My Wings Will Take Me” (Niin kauas kuin siivet kantaa), 2017, “Goldwing” (Kultasiipi), 2015 and Tales and Travels” (Kivenpyörittäjä), 2013. “Tales and Travels” was selected as one of the best albums of 2013 by the leading Finnish newspaper, Helsingin Sanomat. The band, Juha Kujanpää Ensemble, was also nominated as the Band of the Year of Kaustinen Folk Music Festival 2014.

Kujanpää's music has been released on other albums - Ikiranka: “Ikiranka” (2020), FlipFlop: “Simma” (2018), Karuna: “Tuulispää" (2016), Kirjava lintu: “Unilintu” (2012), Osiris-trio: “Synty” (2011) and Karuna: Hyvää matkaa (2010). His vocal music set to Finnish poetry has been released on “Kirjava lintu” (2007) (text by Helvi Hämäläinen, Hannele Huovi, Lauri Pohjanpää) and Kentauri: “Että rauha pysyisi” (2004) (text by Pentti Saarikoski).

Kujanpää’s works for theatre and short film over the last years include “Kangaslammen rannat” (Klockriketeatern & Discantus, 2021), “Päähenkilöt” (short film, Klockriketeatern 2021), “Vallan alla” (film, Q-teatterin Nuorten teatteri, 2021) “Jälki-istunto” (musical for Oulunkylän yhteiskoulu, 2017), “Samaa maata, toista heimoa” (Draamaräätälit & Ritvalan kööri, Valkeakoski 2016), “Lauluja Kalliosta” (Theatre Pensas and Suomen Setlementtiliitto 2015), “Zukkapaitupumbula” (Dance performance for Loiske Ensemble, 2012) “An Operetta for Hope / Toivon operetti” (Rovaniemi Theatre 2011, Radio Theatre/Yleisradio 2010, Helsingin taiteellinen teatteri 2008).

Kujanpää is working as a musician in groups Karuna, Teija Niku Quartet, Captain Cougar, Ikiranka, Ville Ojanen & Kameleontti, CNCD, a children music band FlipFlop and improvisation theatre group Häpeämättömät. He has performed as a guest musician on albums by e.g. Dave Lindholm, Nikolai Blad, Riku Keskinen, Dile Kolanen and Joakim Berghäll.