Solvei was born in Oslo, Norway. She was raised by an American father and Norwegian mother who were both opera singers.
She is a singer, dancer, songwriter and a critically acclaimed performer.
Solvei’s professional career started at the tender age of 15 as a dancer.
Her dancing career excelled quickly, and led her to France and England, where she performed with such artists as Sir Elton John and Genesis. But injuries brought the dancing career to a screeching halt, and after painstaking surgeries and a great deal of soul searching, she moved to New York with a stipend from the Norwegian government to study acting.
Solvei didn’t stay in New York after her grant ran out, but travelled around the country, spending a lot of time among the American Indian people in New Mexico.
A few years ago she moved to Los Angeles, a place where she has re-created herself as one of the most versatile world- music vocalists and performers, using her trademark of blending strong undertones of jazz with ancient ethnic music.
Solvei has performed in top venues all over Los Angeles, which brought her recognition and critical acclaim.
In 2003 she was nominated as Best Independent Artist of the Year by the Los Angeles Music Awards, and in 2004, she won in the World Music Award category along with her international band.
Solvei's music has been aired on K-Jazz, LA's jazz station KKJZ, and is often heard on KCRW, KPFK as well as world music radio programs around the globe, and she has received rave reviews for her live shows from Entertainment Today, LA Weekly, LA Times, Tolucan Times, and Campus Circle.
In 2009 Solvei released the first of three albums in the yoga/chill music genre, titled “A Soul’s Journey”, which led to being featured in the Norwegian TV documentary for TV Norway: “Ja, vi elsker Hollywood” (Yes we love Hollywood), an 8 part series about successful Norwegian women in Hollywood. The TV series featured her life and music throughout the spring and summer of 2010.
Solvei has recently ventured on a musical collaboration with 6 time Grammy nominated artist, Will Clipman on the soon to be released exotic “Worlds Within” album (The ancient language of the drum and the voice).
On occasion Solvei performs with the William Eaton Ensemble in Arizona, and she continues performing and recording with her core group of musicians from AGAPE, as well as with drummer Bruce Carver who divides his time between Solvei, Pink Martini and Josh Groban.