Lars Erstrand has passed away

One of Uppsala's and Swedens best jazz musicians, vibraphone player Lars Erstrand, passed away today at the age of 72.

I liked his concerts with Swedish Swing Society and Lars Erstrand Four and I will always remember his warmth, his joy and his humour that he gave to us in the audience. Rest in peace.

Do you have any memories of Lars Erstrand that you would like to share? Please comment.

Swedish Swing Society: Photos from the Katalin concert

Swedish Swing Society played yesterday at a concert at Katalin and all that jazz. They called the concert: "A Tribute to the Benny Goodman Quartet".

I just have to say: Wow! Fabulous! This is swing music at its best. These guys are so talented. If they come to your town you got to see them. There's so much to like about them. I like the way Ulf Johansson Werre adds intricate textures on the piano and still keeps it swinging. I enjoy the rhythms that Björn Sjödin lay down with his drums and the joy that he expresses. I like the freshness that Antti Sarpila's clarinet brings and the humour of Lars Erstrand. That's just a few things.



Swedish Swing Society consists of these superb jazz musicians: Lars Erstrand (vibraphone), Ulf Johansson Werre (piano), Björn Sjödin (drums) and Antti Sarpila (clarinet).

Some of the songs they played: Winter Swing, Dizzy Spells, Fooling Myself, Some of These Days, Three Little Words, Runnin' Wild, Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone, (Sweet) Embraceable You, All The Things You Are, Tiger Rag and Sweet Georgia Brown.

All songs were excellent, but if I have to choose my favorite song of the evening it has to be Nagasaki. It is such a high energy song.


The photographs are taken by me and may not be used elsewhere without my permission.

Did you see the concert with Swedish Swing Society? What did you think? Tell me.

Swedish Swing Society: Concert at Katalin tonight

Upcoming concert

Tonight the swing jazz band Swedish Swing Society will play at a concert at Katalin and all that jazz. They call the concert: "A Tribute to the Benny Goodman Quartet".

This will be a good concert since the band consists of Swedens (and Finlands) best jazz musicians: Lars Erstrand (vibraphone), Ulf Johansson Werre (piano, trombone), Björn Sjödin (drums) and Antti Sarpila (clarinet).

Back in the swing era, the Benny Goodman Quartet was made up of Teddy Wilson, Gene Krupa, Lionel Hampton and Benny Goodman.

Swedish Swing Society enters the stage at 19:30 and the tickets cost 180 kr. The photo above of Ulf Johansson Werre is taken by me and may not be used elsewhere without my permission.

Have you heard Swedish Swing Society before? What do you think of them? Tell me.