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.
His most recent works include his solo albums Old Ways, New Ways (2022), Niin kauas kuin siivet kantaa (To Where My Wings Will Take Me, 2017), Kultasiipi (Goldwing, 2015), and Kivenpyörittäjä (Tales and Travels, 2013). Kivenpyörittäjä was named one of the best albums of 2013 by Helsingin Sanomat, Finland's leading newspaper. Additionally, the Juha Kujanpää Ensemble was honored as Band of the Year at the Kaustinen Folk Music Festival in 2014.
Kujanpää’s music is also featured on various other albums, including Teija Niku & Juha Kujanpää: Aamunkoitto (2025), Ikiranka: Sydänmaa (2023), CNCD: Harmaa vyöhyke MMXX (2020), Ikiranka: Ikiranka (2020), FlipFlop: Simma (2018) and Karuna: Tuulispää (2016). His vocal compositions, set to Finnish poetry appear on Kirjava lintu, (2007) with texts by Helvi Hämäläinen, Hannele Huovi and Lauri Pohjanpää and Kentauri: Että rauha pysyisi (2004), based on the poetry of Pentti Saarikoski.
In recent years, Kujanpää has composed music for theater and film, including Enimmäkseen ihminen (Valkeakosken kaupunginteatteri, 2022), Kangaslammen rannat (Klockriketeatern & Discantus, 2021), Päähenkilöt (short film, Klockriketeatern, 2021), Vallan alla (film, Q-Teatteri Nuorten Teatteri, 2021), Jälki-istunto (musical for Oulunkylän Yhteiskoulu, 2017), Samaa maata, toista heimoa (Draamaräätälit & Ritvalan Kööri, Valkeakoski, 2016), Lauluja Kalliosta (Theatre Pensas & Suomen Setlementtiliitto, 2015), Zukkapaitupumbula (dance performance for Loiske Ensemble, 2012), and An Operetta for Hope / Toivon operetti (Rovaniemi Theatre, 2011; Radio Theatre/Yleisradio, 2010; Helsingin Taiteellinen Teatteri, 2008).
As a musician, Kujanpää performs with Juha Kujanpää Ensemble, Teija Niku & Juha Kujanpää, Ikiranka, Ville Ojanen & Kameleontti, CNCD, Mimmit, FlipFlop, and the improvisational theater group Häpeämättömät. He has also appeared as a guest musician on albums by Dave Lindholm, Nikolai Blad, Riku Keskinen, Dile Kolanen, and Joakim Berghäll.