Saara Soisalo

Like her number one idol Nina Simone, Saara Soisalo approaches jazz, blues and soul from the inside. Her latest album Second Life (2011) was described as sensual, sinful, achingly emotional and lived-in. In Pori she sings at the jam sessions.
Few people guessed that Soisalo ended up with jazz and blues, when she sang gothic synth pop in Belaboris with her sister Minna in the mid-80’s and duetted with Popeda-singer Pate Mustajärvi on the 60’s pop classic Hey Paula. But that’s what happened. She got a good schooling for her current subjects by singing with the Bullworkers, who dealt with the whole African-American tradition. Later Saara has been party to two fine jazz bands, first with saxophonist Pekka Toivanen’s quartet and now with her own band led by bass master Wade Mikkola. She has also sung background or performed as a special guest with soul brothers Niko Ahvonen and Eternal Erection, and with rockabilly group Whistle Bait and rocker/crooner Jorma Kääriäinen.
Saara’s interpretations of Nina Simone songs have been a great success in the clubs.