NINA ASTROM

Nina Åström was born in Kokkola, on the west coast of Finland in 1962. She has an MA degree with the English language as her major subject. Apart from her husband, her family consists of twin daughters.  Towards the end of the 80's Nina started to perform regularly, and for a period of time she had the opportunity to study singing under the guidance of a good teacher in Turku, Finland. Being a representative of the pop-jazz-folk style she has during the years listened to the music of eg. Stevie Wonder, Carole King, Paul Simon, Jim Croce, Julie Miller, Martin Joseph, James Taylor and Jennifer Warnes.   Nina is a committed Christian and with her music she wants to convey the love of the almighty God towards human beings. Characteristic to Nina's music is honesty and a compassion towards people who live in the middle of problems of life. Nina performs either by herself with the piano or accompanied by other musicians.  In 1991 Nina met Martin Kantola, a skillful sound engineer and a musician, with whom she recorded her first album, "Person 2 Person". This acoustic-style album consists mostly of her own compositions.  In 1992 Nina met the Dutch promotor, Gerrit aan't Goor. He became involved in Nina's songwriting as a lyricist; Gerrit also took up the role as Nina's manager. Gerrit has close contacts to Buddy and Julie Miller and through this the thought emerged to record Nina's second album in Buddy's studio in Nashville, USA. So in Oct. 1993 the album was recorded and mixed, and "A Matter of Time" was released in Feb. 1994. Nina performed, mostly on tours together with Julie Miller, Albino Montisci and Oslo Gospel Choir in seven European countries. In Holland she ended up in the Top 20 Christian Artists' list over 1994. She appeared at the well-known Flevo festival in Holland and in many TV shows. In Finland she was elected gospel artist of the year, voted by readers of Music Mission magazine.  It was about the album "A Matter of Time" that Julie Miller said: "Nina is a treasure, her rich beautiful voice and her fresh melodic songs are a reflection of her pure heart and integrity. The more you listen, the more you love her."  And Phil Keaggy: "I truly believe that Nina Åström has a very special gift, a voice, a heart that sings through the music and communicates life, love and hope. As it has been written, 'Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks!' Also true, the heart sings. Nina's heart sings through a voice given and yielded to the God who gave it. It's my prayer that others like myself will have the privilege to hear its heart and voice. I consider it an honour to have played on this special album."  Nina's third album "Moods" has been recorded in January/February 1995. The album is available on Spark Records and was again recorded and mixed in Buddy Miller's Dogtown Studio in Nashville. Several musicians who played on the "A Matter of Time" album have given their contribution to "Moods" as well. Phil Keaggy, Don Heffington, Buddy and Julie Miller, Tammy Rogers, Jim Hoke and John Schreiner worked this time together with Byron House on bass and a handful of backing vocalists like Kelly Williard, Beeb Birtles (ex Little River Band), George Pendergrass (ex Acappella), Sharon McCall and Jerry Chamberlain.  As on "A Matter of Time", also on "Moods" the songs have been written by Gerrit aan't Goor and Nina Åström. "Moods" contains a variety of musical and lyrical athmospheres, and is mainly a pop album with influences from folk and soul music. After the release of "Moods" Nina has been performing a lot, both in Finland and abroad. Apart from the live performances she has done a good deal of TV- and radio work. The latest major project was FST's (=Finlands Svenska Televisionen) "Christmas Calendar", where Nina did acting and singing. This series consisted of 24 parts.  Nina Åström has also recorded together with other artists and contributed into compilation albums both home and abroad. Some of these recordings have been charity projects. SUMMARY  Nina Åström is a Christian singer-songwriter, who wants to convey the love of the almighty God towards human beings. Nina performs either by herself with the piano, or accompanied by other musicians. Nina Åström has recorded three solo albums and in addition to that she has done other recordings. She has also contributed into various TV and radio programs. Nina can be considered to represent a mixed pop-jazz-folk style. Julie Miller has said about her: "Nina is a treasure, her rich beatiful voice and her fresh melodic songs are a reflection of her pure heart and integrity. The more you listen, the more you love her."