Ilkka Alanko

Ilkka Alanko (born November 21, 1969 in Joensuu, Finland) is a Finnish musician and singer, best known for being the singer of the popular Finnish group Neljä Ruusua. During his time with Neljä Ruusua he was mainly in charge of the lyrics to the songs that were composed by Petteri Koistinen, but he also composed himself some of their best known songs. Neljä Ruusua also released two albums with English-language songs under the name 4R. As the band went on an undefined hiatus in August 2007 Alanko started his solo career. Alanko released his first solo-album "Elektra" in 2009, which was followed by the album "Ruusuja" in 2010. The latter is an album of re-recorded Neljä Ruusua songs in big band and swing style with an orchestra, therefore released under the name Ilkka Alanko Orchestra. In 1997 Alanko shared vocal duties with Kalle Ahola, A. W. Yrjänä and his brother Ismo Alanko on the single "Pop-Musiikkia" which was released under the name Neljä Baritonia.