Johanna Grüssner Running An Important Mission With Singing

Not all music has a common purpose. It can certainly be beautiful and enjoyable, but it often only lasts for the concert, and then it's gone. Johanna Grüssner is different. During her nearly ten years in the United States, she made herself a name not only as a jazz singer, but also a choir director with a mission full of courage. First she graduated Berklee College of Music in Boston, then Manhattan School of Music in New York City, possessing all qualifications for performances from the Barbican to Carnegie Hall. However, she chose to form a gospel choir in the Bronx, where she taught to sing, swing and dance, both with the American and the Scandinavian accent. Finally, Johanna took her 24-member youth choir to her native Åland Islands, where the choir collaborated with the fertile local music scene.

Nearly all of the youngsters in her choir were poor. Less than half spoke English, and two of ten could read at grade level. Many were considered difficult and non-achievers. Johanna's embracing attitude delivered the happy message of music, and it paid off. It was the natural respect for the joy of singing and social togetherness which made Johanna, not only their musical authority, but their best friend with human compassion. When Johanna was in class, no megaphones were needed.

All this is chronicled in the book "Seven Days of Possibilities" by New York Times journalist Anemona Hartocollis. After completing her mission, Grüssner left New York, and settled in Stockholm, Sweden. Johanna has recorded seven albums of her own. They range from Swedish Traditional Songs and fairy-tale music to Big Band and jazz albums with small groups, released by Blue Music Group and Naxos Jazz.