Another versatile musician is trombonist (and sometimes singer) Nils Landgren (Photo: Rolf Kißling/ ACT) (b. 1956), whose most notable success has been in the musical styles known as "soul" and "funk". Pianist Anders Widmark (b. 1963), who occasionally appears as a singer, has also explored these and other areas; one of his projects in which he played old Swedish psalms in a jazz trio setting attracted considerable attention. Other brilliant jazz pianists with a wider musical range include Jacob Karlzon (b. 1970) and Anders Persson (b. 1958), both of whom mainly work with their own trios (with bass and drums) as well as appearing in numerous other musical settings.  Nils Landgren Funk Unit: After The Party (1996) from 'Paint It Blue' [Act 9243] "Cross-over" artists in Swedish jazz include a couple of veteran singers. Svante Thuresson (b. 1937) started out as a jazz drummer in the 1950s and since then has ventured into various different areas of pop music while still retaining his love for jazz and leading a quartet that includes pianist Gösta Rundqvist (b. 1945). Claes Janson (photo: Bo Flodin) (b. 1947), who started out as a hootenanny singer in the 1960s, is a well-known and popular jazz and blues performer who works with several bands, including Öhman’s Organ Grinders, led by Hammond organist (and pianist) Kjell Öhman (b. 1943).  Claes Janson (Öhman Organ grinders): I ain't got nothing but the blues (1933) from 'Öhman Organ Grinders' [FLC CD 126] Several female singers, in particular Viktoria Tolstoy (picture) (b. 1974) and Rebecka Törnkvist (b. 1964), have also made a name for themselves in the pop music sphere, thus drawing wider attention to their jazz performances. Others, such as Rigmor Gustafsson (b. 1966), Lina Nyberg (b. 1970) and Jeanette Lindström (b. 1971), have preferred to concentrate on jazz. All three lead their own groups and perform their own songs - a reflection of the development in jazz education which has resulted in a higher status for singers in the jazz community (all three have studied at music college, together with several other young jazz artists).  Viktoria Tolstoy (Esbjörn Svensson Trio): You Let My Love Grow Cold (1996) from 'Jazz i Svaben' [Dragon DRCD 2002] There are a number of young instrumentalists who work with their own groups and perform their own repertoire, such as saxophonists Per "Texas" Johansson (b. 1969), Fredrik Ljungkvist (b. 1969), Jonas Kullhammar (b. 1978), trumpetare Magnus Broo (b. 1965) and trombonist Karin Hammar (b. 1974). They are all highly skilled musicians who have been through music college, yet each has his own distinctive voice. The strong individuality of each of these players (and many others) firmly refutes the criticism that has been expressed from time to time that the music education results in musical conformity, with "mass-produced" players who are all cast in the same mould.

Tradition and renewal (2 of 2)
Lars Westin: Jazz in Sweden - an overview