Hanna Elmquist is a Swedish jazz singer and composer. She was born in Falun and grew up in Borlänge and Falun, in the Dalarna region in central Sweden. She studied classical flute at the Music Conservatory in Falun as a youth. However, the teachers there noticed her talent for singing, and encouraged her to sing and improvise jazz music.

Just like Monica Zetterlund once, Hanna debuted at legendary jazz club Nalen in Stockholm, and has since performed in many of Sweden's jazz clubs. Her debut album "Old Love, New Love" (buy from jazzsociety.se) together with the Björn Jansson Quartet was released in 2007 and received excellent reviews. The new cd "Ferry Yard Road" is also co-written with tenor saxophonist/bass clarinet player/composer Björn Jansson.

A few press clips :

“The future for Swedish jazz singers is secured. Thanks to Hanna Elmquist. Despite her youth, or maybe just because, she is already among our greatest and her name is mentioned with respect in jazz circles. No wonder. By Hanna's voice and phrasing it's like she's never been doing anything but singing jazz.” Barometern

“Hanna Elmquist is considered by many as the latest star on the Swedish jazz scene. The president of the jazz club in Borlänge, Sweden was in awe over what he heard: Hanna has a future in jazz, he says. No artificial manners but natural and real. Today unknown, tomorrow to expensive for a jazz club in a middle-sized town like this.” Dala-Demokraten

“"Hanna is predicted a shining future in jazz", it said in the program before her show yesterday. And for the audience who witnessed her brilliant performance it was very clear: We'll hear more of this fabulous voice in the future. Hanna has obviously that “jazz nerve”, separating the grain from the chaff and will, if she manages her talent well, take her very far.” Borlänge Tidning/Falu-Kuriren

“Hanna Elmquist is a young very talented jazz singer. Hanna sings with warmth and depth in her voice. With perfect diction and language, she stretches and glides on the notes in a peerless way which gives it a wonderful elasticity to the phrasing. For me it's the first encounter with Hanna Elmquist, who is a brilliant talent as a jazz singer, with the first impression being very positive with a musical expression full of energy, swing and temper” Blekinge läns tidning