Erja Lyytinen (FI)

No doubt about it: Erja Lyytinen has the talent and looks to put Finland on the international blues map. Born into a musical family in the small town of Kuopio, she integrates jazz, folk and even pop elements into her bluesy mix. Lyytinen's outstanding slide guitar playing has earned her the nickname "the Bonnie Raitt of Finland" and led to festival appearances alongside Koko Taylor, Marcia Ball and Bonnie Raitt herself. Now, this impressive young lady is poised to break out to an even bigger audience.