Jazz Musician. Born in Sanda, Gotland, Sweden, he began to play clarinet and saxophone as a thirteen-year-old, but changed to the baritone saxophone at age twenty-one. He then studied classical music at the Music Academy in Stockholm to be concert pianist, and in 1947 wrote a piano concerto and a sinfonietta. However, he focused on the saxophone after that, having a great interest in American Jazz. He first played in different dancing orchestras, such as Charles Redland's and Leon Landgren's bands. He also played with popular the Seymour and Arthur Österwall's orchestra. In 1950 he teamed with renowned saxophone player Zoot Sims, and he came to play with musicians like Arne Domnerus, Weine Renliden and Georg Riedel, among others. In 1954 he received the American jazz magazine “DownBeat”'s award "Best Newcomer of the Year", and unusual accoladed for a European musician at that time. In 1959 he toured Italy with Chet Baker in 1959, playing several shows there with Gerry Mulligan. He is considered one of the most important jazz musicians of Sweden with great international recognition, and his impact on the genre there was considerable. Drug and alcohol abuse lead to his passing in 1976.
Jazz Musician. Born in Sanda, Gotland, Sweden, he began to play clarinet and saxophone as a thirteen-year-old, but changed to the baritone saxophone at age twenty-one. He then studied classical music at the Music Academy in Stockholm to be concert pianist, and in 1947 wrote a piano concerto and a sinfonietta. However, he focused on the saxophone after that, having a great interest in American Jazz. He first played in different dancing orchestras, such as Charles Redland's and Leon Landgren's bands. He also played with popular the Seymour and Arthur Österwall's orchestra. In 1950 he teamed with renowned saxophone player Zoot Sims, and he came to play with musicians like Arne Domnerus, Weine Renliden and Georg Riedel, among others. In 1954 he received the American jazz magazine “DownBeat”'s award "Best Newcomer of the Year", and unusual accoladed for a European musician at that time. In 1959 he toured Italy with Chet Baker in 1959, playing several shows there with Gerry Mulligan. He is considered one of the most important jazz musicians of Sweden with great international recognition, and his impact on the genre there was considerable. Drug and alcohol abuse lead to his passing in 1976.
Bio by: Peter Robsahm
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