Kadri Voorand Announces Pregnancy and Intimate New Album 'Songs to Hold You'

Key facts

• Kadri Voorand (39) is expecting her first child, announced on the show 'Hommik Anuga'.
• New album 'Songs to Hold You' releases May 8, 2026, on o-tone music/EdelKultur.
• Album features 14 tracks, 65 minutes, recorded in her home studio in Lahemaa, Estonia.
• Voorand performs in duo with bassist Mihkel Mälgand; no support act required.
• Tour dates in May 2026: Bonn, Regensburg, Halle, Lich, Hamburg, Gelsenkirchen.
• Singles: 'Katariina Rosalie' (Oct 2025), 'Imagine' (Nov 2025), 'Tunnistus' (Feb 2026), 'Let Me Hold You' (Mar 2026).
• Album mastered by 2× Grammy nominee Svante Forsbäck; mixed by Kaarel Tamra and Johannes Lõhmus.
• Voorand has performed with John Scofield, Randy Brecker, Nils Landgren, Kurt Elling.

A New Chapter Begins

Kadri Voorand, the celebrated Estonian jazz singer and composer, is expecting her first child, she revealed on the morning show 'Hommik Anuga'. 'I am really looking forward to it!' she said, her joy palpable. This personal milestone coincides with a professional one: the release of her new album 'Songs to Hold You' on May 8, 2026. The 14-track record, running 65 minutes, marks a deliberate shift from her earlier expansive sound toward something more intimate and warm. Voorand, 39, grew up in a fishing village on Estonia's northern coast, immersed in folk traditions and coastal songs. After studying classical piano, she discovered jazz and later refined her craft at the Royal Swedish Music Academy in Stockholm.

An Intimate Sound, Rooted in Estonia

'Songs to Hold You' was recorded and produced by Voorand in her home studio in Lahemaa, Estonia. The music occupies a space between vocal jazz, art song, and Nordic folk — meditative yet not passive, simple yet not empty. Voorand uses her voice as an instrument, shaping melody and rhythm with emotional sensitivity. The album combines original compositions with selected cover versions, all guided by emotion rather than form. 'Simple stories and songs from the heart,' as the press materials describe. The album was mastered by Svante Forsbäck, a two-time Grammy nominee, and mixed by Kaarel Tamra and Johannes Lõhmus.

Live Performances: Duo with Mihkel Mälgand

Voorand performs live in duo with bassist Mihkel Mälgand, who plays double bass and bass guitar. Their shows run 75 to 90 minutes and require no support act. A technical rider is available on request. Critics have praised their chemistry. One review noted: 'Kadri Voorand is a people person. Whether playing piano, violin or thumb piano, the audience were hanging on her every note, and when asked to join in, the audience sang as one.' Another wrote: 'This stirring together of jazz, folk and pop, with thoughtful arrangements from these distinctive musicians, takes you, for a while, off into another world.' Voorand moves between vocals, piano, violin, and live electronics, building an atmosphere where audiences become part of the music itself. 'Songs to Hold You' captures that intimacy on record for the first time.

May 2026 Tour Dates Across Germany

Voorand and Mälgand will tour Germany in May 2026, starting at Bonn Jazzfest on May 3. The tour continues: Regensburg Jazzclub on May 5, Halle Women in Jazz Festival on May 6, Lich Kulturzentrum on May 7, Hamburg Halle424 on May 8 (album release day), and Gelsenkirchen Nordstern on May 9. Four singles have preceded the album: 'Katariina Rosalie' (October 2025), 'Imagine' (November 2025), 'Tunnistus' (February 2026), and 'Let Me Hold You' (March 2026). Voorand has performed with jazz luminaries John Scofield, Randy Brecker, Nils Landgren, and Kurt Elling, underscoring her standing in the international jazz scene.

A Career Built on Nordic Directness

Voorand's Nordic formation is audible in her music: a directness, economy of means, and refusal of ornament for its own sake. Her background includes classical piano training and studies at the Royal Swedish Music Academy in Stockholm. Her earlier work was known for bold, expansive soundscapes. 'Songs to Hold You' represents a deliberate turn inward, drawing listeners closer rather than outward. The album reflects her search for an emotionally charged sound and freer improvisation — more open, warmer, and more deeply rooted in her Estonian heritage. Each concert, she says, unfolds as a shared experience — moving, spontaneous, and captivating.

What Comes Next

With the album release and tour imminent, Voorand balances her artistic output with the anticipation of motherhood. The pregnancy announcement adds a layer of personal significance to an already meaningful period. The album is released on o-tone music/EdelKultur. Voorand's duo with Mälgand, under the banner Wild Source Music, continues to evolve. For now, the Estonian jazz world has reason to celebrate: a beloved musician is entering a new chapter both at home and on stage.

The bottom line

• Kadri Voorand is expecting her first child, announced on 'Hommik Anuga'.
• Her new album 'Songs to Hold You' releases May 8, 2026, with 14 tracks recorded at home.
• The album marks a shift from expansive sound to intimate, Nordic-influenced music.
• Voorand performs in duo with bassist Mihkel Mälgand; no support act needed.
• May 2026 tour includes six German cities, starting at Bonn Jazzfest.
• Album mastered by 2× Grammy nominee Svante Forsbäck.