Anelia Records

With a hypnotic voice and enchanting energy,
Sweden's Jenny Holmgren is a singer/songwriter
who has quickly come into her own. Citing
influences that range from modern folk, country,
pop and rock, the rising star has shown an ability
to craft songs that draw listeners into her world
in the most magical of ways. In exciting news
for fans of her first album “It's Like You Carry
Wings”, which won the artist a great deal of
critical support, Holmgren has expanded her
sound further recently announcing the release of
her second album on Anelia Records “Secret
About You”, where she's joined by acclaimed guitar player and producer Tassos Spiliotopoulos to help round out her sound. The early response from old and new listeners alike has been passionate.

“I put my heart and soul into 'Secret About You' and I think it shows,” commented Holmgren about the new release. “We weren't bound by strict musical styles, just in playing songs that are important, that have something to say and are fresh and honest.”

Some highlights of “Secret About You” include: “Swing”, “Child of War”, the album-title baring “Secret About You” and “A Good Day”. All ten songs on the album are original work, pointing to a very bright present and future for an artist whose creativity clearly knows few bounds.

Classically trained at places like the Royal Academy of Music in London, and with 12 years of experience performing in West End theatres and other venues, the freshness of Holmgren's sound is balanced by a deep understanding of classic music structure, vocals and the self- discipline of a true professional. All these qualities have come together and it definitely shows with the release of “Secret About You”. Jenny Holmgren is poised to be much more than a secret in the world of modern folk, country and pop music where she certainly shines in a quite remarkable way.

‘In the North’ is the third album by guitarist Tassos Spiliotopoulos and his first since his relocation from London to Stockholm. Originally from Athens, Greece, Tassos Spiliotopoulos spent the better part of twelve years living in London and establishing a solid reputation as one of the most exciting, up and coming guitarists in the UK Jazz scene. He worked with some of the country’s most celebrated jazz musicians including Kenny Wheeler, Gary Husband, Asaf Sirkis, John Parricelli, John Etheridge and appeared in several critically acclaimed albums while at the same time maintaining a busy international touring schedule both as sideman and as bandleader.

In 2013 after a period of introspection Tassos felt it was time to move on. Having family ties to Sweden he decided to settle in Stockholm where, in his own words, ‘..the environment seemed right for reflection and exploration’.​But between the challenges of settling in a new country, world tours with the Asaf Sirkis Trio and producing for up and coming singer/songwriter Jenny Holmgren it would take Tassos another couple of years to return to recording as a bandleader. It was while taking part in a project called ‘Tune­up Järva’ and meeting saxophonist Örjan Hultén and his trio that Tassos came up with the idea to record ‘​In the North’.​‘​.. I was looking for a band to play with in Stockholm and when I run into Örjan, Fredrik and the other guys we clicked instantly... I thought, here is a band I can really play with..’

A few local gigs later the new quartet of Tassos Spiliotopoulos, Örjan Hultén, Palle Sollinger, Fredrik Rundqvist headed to ‘Small House’ studios in Tyresö to record ‘​In the North’.​An album that Tassos considers his best recorded work yet and one that confirms his reputation as one of the most accomplished guitarists of his generation and a musician that brings something truly new to the Jazz table. As with previous Tassos Spiliotopoulos albums, the music builds on to the modern Jazz idiom, but this time new influences from greek folk music, film music, flamenco, blues and fusion are incorporated. ‘​.. I never wanted to be a specialist in any one style of music.. rather to let all the different influences blend into my own style..’​For all his technical prowess Tassos never loses sight of what is important and allows the melodic and intimate elements of his music to bring the album together. The quartet interprets Tassos’ compositions with grace and confidence while interplay and high energy improvisation is central to their performance.