Solveig

For more than 20 years, Dove Award-winning recording artist Solveig Leithaug (Sol-vey Light-houg) Henderson, has won audiences worldwide with her soothing voice, remarkable guitar playing and songwriting talents. As an original member of the Oslo Gospel Choir, (with over one million CDs sold) Solveig has been a staple on the Scandinavian gospel scene and has performed throughout Europe and the USA since her late teens.

Her latest CD “Christmas Peace” is scheduled for international release in the fall of 2009: an English version of a highly successful CD “Julefred,” released in Norway in 2008. Both CDs were produced by award winning Steve Hindalong (Sixpence None the Richer, Jeremy Camp, The Choir, City on a Hill- worship CD series) and feature a collection of favorite Christmas carols and four traditional Norwegian Christmas songs. These projects were recorded in Nashville, TN with the help of the fine talents of Tom Howard (orchestra string arrangements), Ken Lewis (drums and percussion), Chris Donohue (bass, double bass, currently in Emmylou Harris' band), Phil Madeira (Accordion, National Steel Guitar, Hammond B3 organ, also in Emmylou Harris' band), Paul Moak (Electric guitars, El. Mando, Banjo, Lap Steel), Steve Hindalong (Percussion, Chimes), Sam Levine (Flutes, Clarinet, Recorder), Mark Byrd (Ambient Guitars), Derri Daughterty (Engineer) and Dave Schober (Mix). Jim Chaffee serves as both Executive Producer and A & R for these productions.

With the release of “Julefred” last December, Solveig toured 18 cities in Norway and was featured throughout the country on leading secular media including Good Morning Norway, and Norway’s National Broadcasting Network (NRK) which honored her as Artist of the Month for all the NRK Radio Religious Programming in December.

“I had the most wonderful time recording this project, and cherished the opportunity to take some of my favorite Christmas songs, and make them mine. Together with Steve, I translated three of Norway’s most beloved carols to English: “The Cities are Lit and Festive” (Det lyser i stille grender), “My Heart So Dearly Ponders” (Mitt hjerte alltid vanker), and “Wondrous Invisible Pilgrimage” (Nå vandrer fra hver en verdenskrok). A fourth song: “Hay and Straw” (Høy og strå), was a nearly forgotten carol, that my parents taught me last year, when preparing for the production: ‘Most Norwegians over 90 years old should remember this one,’ mom laughingly said. “I find its message of Jesus’ humble birth and selfless life very moving.” Solveig adds.

Her previous international release;” Worship You,” produced by Tore W. Aas, was released in 2006 on Authentic Records (former WORD UK). Authentic Records dubbed this release as “in vogue, and long awaited.”  Solveig was awarded the 2008 Angel Award for her music video featuring the CD's opening cut, "All the Way to Heaven," produced by award winning producers Dan & Raven Rubottom of Epiphany Creative. Solveig has received various awards that date back as early as 1984, when at the tender age of 18, she was awarded the title Artist of the Year by Norway’s music magazine “Treff.”  At 20 years of age, she received the Dove Award for the “International Artist of the Year” by the Gospel Music Association.

In addition to her solo performances, Solveig has also participated in a number of national conferences around the world including: "Woman after Gods Own Heart," organized by Lynda Randle and featuring Gloria Gaither as the key note speaker. She was the worship leader for “Just Give Me Jesus” in Oslo, Norway at the Spektrum Arena, featuring Billy Graham's daughter Anne Graham Lotz (an event that drew the largest gathering of women in that nation ever); "Azusa Europe," a Pentecostal Centennial Celebration with thousands of Europeans. Again in the same arena in Oslo she was the only European artist featured with the Gaither Homecoming Friends in March, 2008.

Gloria Gaither comments on Solveig’s ministry: "Listening to Solveig singing is like the pure vibrations of an innocent soul.  She by-passes our cynical scar tissue and stylistic prejudices and goes -- like the laughter of a child --straight to the heart."

From being a guest artist at official parliament functions, to doing worship services from prisons to jazz cafés, cathedrals and arenas, Solveig seeks to make music that heals, inspires and uplifts. An ordained minister since 1994, she has also contributed commentary to Thomas Nelsons “Women of Destiny Bible”.  “I have always viewed my music as a ministry,” states Solveig, “…and it is my prayer that through my songs the listener will be able to connect with the presence of God.”  

Solveig has released six solo projects in English and seven in her native Norwegian in addition to three bestselling children’s albums. Her Norwegian CD, Fagert er Landet, produced by Stein Austrud, was released in Scandinavia in May, 2006, featuring some of her favorite hymns and songs. Solveig's parents Peder and Helga Leithaug, at 80 and 77 years of age, guest the album with two moving duet performances and poetry readings.

Upon gospel artists Russ Taff and Lynda Randle's recommendation, legendary Bill Gaither invited Solveig to join a number of his Homecoming concerts and events including an Alaskan Cruise. She also appeared on The Homecoming Video "How Great Thou Art" taped at the historic Grand Ole Opry where she was featured singing her own rendition of "Leaning on the Everlasting Arms". Solveig's song "Army of Compassion" was included in the Authentic Records 2007 CD/DVD release of "Songs of Justice & Mercy" along with performances by Hillsong United, Matt Redman, Delirious?, and others marking the 25 year anniversary of World Vision.

In addition to her two "home lands"; Norway and the USA, her worldwide ministry has also included performances in Albania, South Africa, Malaysia, Brazil, Germany, Poland, Holland, Monaco, Finland, Austria, The United Kingdom, Canada, Sweden, Denmark and Switzerland.

Solveig was born on Frekhaug, Norway. She resides with her dear husband Jim Chaffee and beloved children David, Kari and John in Nashville, TN. Her fine step sons Elliott and Taylor study and work in Boston, MA.  

ENGLISH RECORDINGS:

1986  In the World (Day Spring, WORD) Features a duet with Larry Norman
1988  First Step (Day Spring, WORD) Features a duet with Wayne Watson
1995  The Way of the Wind (Simple Saints Music)
2000  Surrender (Simple saints Music)
2006  Worship You (Authentic Records) 

2009 Christmas Peace

NORWEGIAN RECORDINGS:
1985  Askepott (Storm Production)
1988  Lys i eit vindu (God Musikk)
1993  Mi stjerne (Master Music)
1994  Vindens veg (Master Music)
1995  Min båt er så liten (children's CD / video) (Lynor AS)
1996  Hvem er jungelens konge?(children's CD) (Lynor AS)
1998  Deilig er den himmel blå (children's Christmas CD /video) (Lynor AS)
2004  Tilbe Deg (Master Music)
2006  Fagert er landet (Mudi Records) features guest artists
          Peder & Helga Leithaug, Kari Julianna Henderson, Marit & Irene,
          The Holstein United Bluegrass Boys, Ingrid Leithaug Mjanger & Garness 

2008 Julefred (Mudi Records)