With "Songs to Hold You," Kadri Voorand opens a new chapter in her music—she shifts from the bold, expansive sound she is known for to a sound built on intimacy, warmth, and presence. The project will be performed as a duo with Mihkel Mälgand, one of Estonia's leading bassists and a longtime collaborator, on European stages, with a new studio album to be released independently in February 2026. The album combines new original compositions with some covers, all played through the same lens: simple storytelling and "heart songs," guided by feeling rather than form. Voorand uses her voice as an instrument, shaping melody and rhythm with emotional awareness that draws listeners in.

Kadri Voorand is an award-winning singer and composer from Estonia and one of Europe's most authentic live performers in the jazz scene. Her album "In Duo with Mihkel Mälgand" (2020) received critical acclaim and won the Estonian Music Prize for best jazz album. Mihkel Mälgand is one of the most active bassists in Estonia and has also collaborated with jazz stars such as Kurt Elling, Nils Landgren, and Dave Liebman. The two share a strong mutual understanding of musical rhythm and improvisational moments, resulting in a dense duo. Pop-like melodies are combined with virtuosic improvisation and skillful technique. They perform heart-wrenching power ballads alongside hip grooves, accompanied by a completely unique twist in sound and unexpectedly bold lyrics.