Diane Jarvi
A singer, songwriter, guitarist and kantele player (Finnish folk harp), Diane Jarvi is a versatile performer of folk and world music. In addition to her own compositions, Jarvi is known for her intimate and authentic interpretations of tangos, waltzes, gypsy music, ballads, jazz standards and cabaret songs from around the world.
Diane Jarvi's recordings Foreign Winds, Revontuli, Flying Into Blue and Paper Heart are heard on radio throughout Europe, Australia as well as around the U.S. She has been the recent subject of two film documentaries, Muistot and Kaipuu, by the award-winning Finnish filmmaker Erkki Määtänen. Known in Finland as Minnesotan Satakieli--The Minnesota Nightingale, she has been the recipient of artistic grants and awards including the Finlandia Foundation Performer of the Year and a McKnight MacPhail performing fellowship.
On Wild Gardens, her newest CD, Jarvi travels through the gardens of France, Finland, Sweden, Chile, the British Isles and Texas. Jarvi’s wondrously, rich voice captures these distinct places with her rare mix of jazz, tango, folk, and gypsy sounds. The Minneapolis Star Tribune calls it, “ one of the best Minnesota recordings of 2007… delivering poetic jazzy world folk.”
An award-winning poet under the name Diane Jarvenpa, her third book of poetry, The Tender, Wild Things was published in the fall of 2007 by New Rivers Press.
All of her recordings blend the artistry of her songwriting with her love of world music and poetry.
“A voice that moves bewitchingly from dark to light.” Ilta-Sanomat, Helsinki
“The raw, yet understated power of Jarvi’s voice is sweet, yet sensuous.”
Susan Buddig-- worldmusiccentral.org
“Her voice is heavenly, her songs superb.” Hal Davis--Minneapolis Star Tribune
