Aurora Hentunen is an award-winning Finnish pianist and composer, currently living in Helsinki.
Hentunen assembled her quartet at the beginning of 2017 while studying in Amsterdam. Debut album ‘Second Spring’ was released in April 2018 and her second album ‘Frost’ in August 2019. Her music has been described as very compositional and the band as distinctive, led by mature young musicians. The band is considered as one of the rising stars in the Nordic Jazz scene.
Hentunen’s third album “Little Further” was released in October 2024 on Eclipse Music. Little Further reflects the state of being during the last few years, prior to its release, forced collective stagnation and uncertainty of the future. However, it gently guides the listener to continue their journey and to believe in tomorrow. The first single Gray Waves featuring the GRAMMY award-winning bass player Linda May Han Oh was released in May 2024. The album won the Jazz/Soul album of the year at the Finnish Indie Awards 2025.
Hentunen’s composition work has been supported by many known Finnish cultural foundations, such as Kone foundation, the Finnish Cultural Foundation, the Finnish Music Foundation and the Finnish Music Creators’ Fund. Her work can also be heard on commissioned Big Band, choir and classical ensemble pieces, examples include Sointi Jazz Orchestra, Jyväskylä Big Band, Lappeenranta Big Band, and UJE Ensemble. Hentunen’s first orchestral piece Siimes - Behind the Woods, written for symphonic orchestra and live electronics will be premiered in the near future.
“As the best albums often do, the artist’s latest album Little Further unfolds in layers, leaving enough room for the listener’s own interpretations.” - Jury of Indie Awards 2025 / Jazz/Soul album of the year award
“Hentunen’s melodic skill and sense of arranging is truly captivating and each time you listen to the songs you will discover new elements.” - YLE / Laura Korhonen, journalist’s pick for the album 2024
“Little Further offers a lot of what Wynton Marsalis would call “information”, both musical and by way of the letter. Aurora Hentunen and her group subvert expectations right down to that final farewell.” - Graham / Elsewhere, NZ
”The debut album was already great, and the second one ensures that Hentunen isn’t going to come down from the sharpest peak of Finnish Jazz.” - Keskisuomalainen
