Mari Boine Persen has brought the contemporary music traditions of northern Norway's Sami people, more commonly known as the Lapps, to the international stage. Forsaking traditional music for the modern sounds of "joik," Persen has incorporated influences of jazz, rock, and ethnic music. Persen's success has been a source of pride for the Sami people. As the Norwegian newspaper VG pointed out, "ethnic music has a rather large audience outside Norway. You should be aware of the fact that perhaps the most interesting artist in this wide field of music is from the Sami people and living in Norway."

Despite early resistance based on her Sami heritage and gender, Persen continues to build a loyal following in her homeland. Her first two albums -- Gula Gula in 1989 and Jaskatvouda Manna in 1992 -- hinted at her skills, while her third album, 1993's Goaskinviellja, received a Norwegian Grammy and marked her as one of Norway's greatest stars. Her fourth album, Leahkastin, was commissioned for the Vassajazz Festival and premiered in March 1994. Balwoslatjna, her fifth album, followed in 1998. Persen was a featured vocalist on Norwegian saxophonist Jan Garbarek's album Twelve Moons.

A native of the small village of Gamehhisniarga, Persen grew up singing the Black spiritual-like psalms of the Christian-oriented Laestadian movement. ~ Craig Harris, Rovi