Aili Järvelä, one of Finland’s most interesting musicians, has amazed audiences and critics alike with her wide-ranging talent. She is known not only for her strong background in folk music, but above all as a skilled singer-songwriter, composer, and soulful performer.

During her career, Järvelä has released solo albums, composed music for professional orchestras, big bands, choirs, and various instrumental ensembles, composed a musical, worked as a freelance musician in several ensembles, and played in award-winning folk music groups. In addition, she has taught over a hundred Näppärikurssi courses. Järvelä has also appeared on the TV show Tanssii tähtien kanssa (Dancing with the Stars), where she performed her song Kaikesta as the background music for Maaret Kallio’s dance, and on the show Vain elämää, where she sang Paula Vesala’s Tulkoon mitä vaan during her performance.

Järvelä’s song Roihuvuori, released in 2020, was voted one of the 50 best lyrics of the millennium in a reader poll by the Helsingin Sanomat newspaper. Her first musical, Katrina (2024), received rave reviews and unreserved popularity with audiences. Järvelä’s latest solo album, VUORI (2025), which she released independently, has received rave reviews, with journalist Pekka Laine, among others, naming it one of the most significant Finnish releases of the year. On the VUORI album, Järvelä is accompanied by the Central Ostrobothnia Chamber Orchestra, harpist Laura Hynninen, and percussionist Samuli Kosminen. The album is further proof of Järvelä’s abilities as a musician, as she composed, wrote the lyrics, arranged, and produced the entire album herself.