Jenny Berggren

Biography

Early life

1883_590_660[1] Jenny was born in Gothenburg and she is the third of three children born to Göran Berggren, an X-ray technician, and Birgitta Berggren. She was raised in a Christian family in the Gothenburg suburbs.

All three Berggren children took music lessons, and Jenny, along with her older sister Malin, practiced violin. Educated to become a teacher, She studied classical music and sang for her church choir with her sister.

During the late 1980s, the Berggren siblings, along with Johnny Lindén and Nicklas Tränk, formed the techno band Tech Noir. The group eventually became Ace of Base. Jenny also attended university, with the intention of becoming a teacher. This plan fell apart when Ace of Base was signed to Danish label Mega Records, with the band’s debut album eventually selling more than 23 million copies worldwide.

Role in band

Jenny´s original role in the band was equal with her sister, Linn, although the first singles chosen by the record company had Linn singing most of the lead vocals. In the early years, her and Linn only had a minor role in the production or writing of any of the band’s first songs.

Jenny was quite unprepared for the spotlight; fans have described her early television appearances as resembling a "deer in the headlights". Later, with sister Malin’s sudden withdrawal from the spotlight, She was forced into a more prominent role.

On the night of April 27, 1994, Jenny and her mother were attacked in their home by a crazed woman who had followed Berggren home. Jenny’s mother was stabbed in the hands, and the woman, a 21 year old German named Manuela Behrendt, was banned from ever returning to Sweden.

Jenny composed several songs for the band’s The Bridge album, including "Ravine", a song about the April 27 attack, as well as "Wave Wet Sand" and "Experience Pearls". She continues to compose songs for the band’s albums, and a few of her compositions have been included on each successive album.

Personal life

Although a member of a prominent band, She continues to volunteer her time to various humanitarian charities. She also has staged several Christian concerts, and sings in churches.

On September 18, 2004, Jenny married her long-time boyfriend Jakob Petrén, Swedish pianist. They have two children together, a son and a daughter. Jenny and her family currently reside in Gothenburg.

Current activities

Jenny is currently on tour with Ace of Base, and in the studio, working on the group’s new album. Although she is still a part of Ace Of Base, she has become increasingly involved with her own personal projects, such as her own autobiography and Christian solo album.

Vocals

Jenny has contributed vocals for all Ace of Base songs except:

  • "All That She Wants" (Malin Berggren, Jonas Berggren, and Ekberg)
  • "Happy Nation" (Malin Berggren, Jonas Berggren, and Ekberg)
  • "Dimension of Depth" (instrumental)
  • "Dancer in a Daydream" (Malin Berggren only)
  • "Whispers in Blindness" (Malin Berggren only)
  • "Everytime It Rains" (Malin Berggren only)

Writing

Jenny has contributed music and lyrics to the following Ace of Base songs:

  • "Hear Me Calling" (with Jonas Berggren, Malin Berggren and Ekberg)
  • "Ravine"
  • "Wave Wet Sand"
  • "Experience Pearls"
  • "He Decides"
  • "Love In December" (with Jonas Brerggren, Malin Berggren and Ekberg)
  • "Beautiful Morning" (with Malin Berggren and Jonas Berggren)
  • "Change With the Light" (with Malin Berggren, Jonas Berggren and Ulf Ekberg)
  • "What’s the Name of the Game" (with Malin Berggren, Jonas Berggren, Ekberg, Harry Sommerdahl and Jonas von der Burg)

 

In 2010 Jenny started pursuing her solo career and is currently on indefinite leave from Ace of Base.