Suvi Linnovaara (b.1988) is a saxophonist originally from Tampere but currently living in
Helsinki. Linnovaara graduated as a musician from Tampere Conservatoire in 2013 and as a
Bachelor of Music from Tampere University of Applied Sciences in 2017. During the years
2013 and 2015 Linnovaara studied in the Conservatoire of Saint-Maur- des-Fossés in Paris
with Nicolas Prost. In 2016 Linnovaara began their studies in the classical soloist department
of Sibelius Academy. Their teacher in the main subject (classical saxophone) is Joonatan
Rautiola and in the secondary subject (jazz saxophone) is Petri Puolitaival.
Linnovaara has premiered new music both from Finnish composers as well as composers
from abroad (Damström, Seppälä, Hassinen, Granlund, Griffin). Linnovaara wants to blur the
differences between different musical styles, play around with techniques and explore new
ways to express. In recent years Linnovaara has become very interested in live electronics,
improvisation and noise music. Linnovaara plays fluently all saxophones (soprano, alto,
tenor and baritone).
Linnovaara has attended several masterclasses in Finland and abroad and has been taught
by Claude Delangle, Lars Mlekusch, Philippe Geiss, Jean-Yves Fourmeau, Alexandre
Souillart, Masataka Hirano and Johannes Thorell. In the Summer 2017 Linnovaara
participated in an improvisation course by American Mark Applebaum. Linnovaara has
recently joined the Ears Open Ensemble (Korvat auki Ensemble) which is an ensemble for
improvised and experimental music hosted by the Ears Open, a society of young composers
and contemporary music enthusiasts. For several years Linnovaara has also participated
actively in the projects of Helsinki saxophone orchestra (Helsingin Saksofoniorkesteri),
where Linnovaara has also had the chance to play the tubax (subcontrabass saxophone).