Singer, composer and lyricist Aili Ikonen is one of the most in-demand jazz vocalists in Finland, praised for her sensitive yet strong interpretation, wide vocal range and thoroughly flawless scat technique. 

Ikonen has released five solo albums, Valo (2024), Helposti palavaa (2023), Suru ei oo suora viiva (2020), Piirrä minut (2017) and Laulan (2016). Her latest album, Valo, recorded with the Oulu Symphony Orchestra and conductor Rumon Gamba, was released on 26 July 2024.

Aili Ikonen has been featured as a soloist by many of the most prestigious orchestras in Scandinavia, such as UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra, Sinfonia Lahti, Norrbotten Big Band and Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra. She is known for many innovative collaborations with highly esteemed artists and bands such as Jukka Perko, Valtteri Laurell Pöyhönen and Hector. Aili Ikonen is also a member of the vocal group Rajaton. 

In 2013, Aili Ikonen teamed up with the hotly tipped Finnish jazz trio HERD in order for Jazzbasilli, a celebration of the 1960's golden era Finnish jazz-schlager. The same year Ikonen's album Tribute to Ella was released, paying homage to one of the greatest vocal stylists and improvisers of all time, Ella Fitzgerald.

In 2018, Aili Ikonen and Jukka Perko Avara released an album Laulu keskeneräinen consisting of songs made famous by Dusty Springfield. The lyrics were newly written in Finnish by Hector, one of the most appreciated singer-songwriters in Finland.

In addition to composing her own music, Ikonen has been writing and arranging music for a cappella group Rajaton. She has been writing and arranging music also for many other collaborations, such as dance productions.

In 2021 Blosari Kustannus released a Songbook called Aili Ikonen Songbook – Nuori vapaa nainen, consisting of Ikonen’s compositions.