Upcoming Gigs

e.s.t. is a phenomenon: A jazz trio, which sees itself as a pop band that plays jazz, which broke with the tradition of leader and sidemen in favour of equality within its members, which not only plays jazz venues but also venues usually reserved for rock bands, which uses light effects and fog-machines in their live shows, which gets a whole audience to sing-a-long with jazz-standards such as Thelonius Monk’s “Bemsha Swing”. e.s.t. is a trio that goes far beyond the scope of the usual classic jazz trio. Their music can be found in the pop-charts and their videos are playing on MTV Scandinavia. With their unique soundscape, combining jazz with drum ‘n’ bass, electronic elements, funk rhythms, and pop and rock as well as European classical music, e.s.t. won an audience spanning from the classic jazz-fans to the youngest hip-hop fans. Critics and audiences world-wide agree: e.s.t. is definitely one of the most innovative jazz bands of today.

Openness, curiosity and a little bit of chance are all a part of Esbjörn Svensson’s artistic foundation. “I play piano because we didn’t have any other instrument in the house” he explains. “Actually, I would have rather played drums. For instance, as a kid, I put together a set out of old odds and ends, and tried to sound like “Sweet” on “Ballroom Blitz”. But then Magnus Öström came with his drums, and I decided to stay with the piano. Magnus and I grew up together, and have played together from the beginning. When Magnus was given his first drum set, he brought it over to my house, and we started playing. We had no idea how to play, but it was a lot of fun. Since we didn’t have a teacher, and no one was telling us how to play, we were able to gradually develop our music in a very unique, individualistic way.”

From the mid-eighties on, Svensson and Öström established themselves as inspiring sidemen in the Swedish and Danish jazz scenes. They formed their first trio in 1990, but it wasn’t until 1993 that they got the necessary lift to get a CD off the ground. It was then that they met Dan Berglund. Both were fascinated by the structural strength and creative diversity of his playing and were able to entice Berglund into joining the trio.

In 1993 the Esbjörn Svensson Trio recorded and released their debut album, “When Everyone Has Gone” (Dragon) followed two years later by the live recording “Mr & Mrs Handkerchief” (Prophone). Six years later this live album was released on ACT to the rest of the world under the title “e.s.t. Live ‘95” (ACT 9295-2).

By the mid nineties the trio had made a name for themselves in Sweden and secured a recording-deal with the pop-oriented label Superstudio Gul / Diesel Music. The first album for this label, released the same year, was “E.S.T. Plays Monk” (ACT 9010-2), which quickly sold over 10000 copies in Sweden. The talented newcomers started to collect prizes: in 1995 and 1996 Esbjörn Svensson was awarded Swedish Jazz Musician of the Year and 1998 Songwriter of the Year, and the 1997 release “Winter in Venice” (ACT 9007-2) (consisting mainly of original material) was awarded the Swedish Grammy.

The 1999 release of “From Gagarin’s Point of View” (ACT 9005-2) was the first e.s.t. album to be released outside of Scandinavia through the German label ACT and live appearances at festivals such as JazzBaltica and Montreux marked the beginning of the band’s breakthrough onto the international scene.

A year later “Good Morning Susie Soho” (ACT 9009-2), was released and earned the trio the title “Trio of the Year” from Jazzwise. The band toured on the “RISING STARS” Jazz Circuit and played all major festivals throughout Europe. At the same time “Somewhere Else Before”, a compilation of the European albums “From Gagarin’s Point of View” and “Good Morning Susie Soho”, was released in the USA on Sony Columbia.

“Strange Place For Snow” (ACT 9011-2), e.s.t.’s 2002 release, was supported by a 9-month tour of all European countries, the USA and Japan. Music from that album also became the soundtrack for the French movie “Dans ma Peau“, directed by the French actress and screen writer (8 Women) Marina de Van. The album earned numerous awards for the band such as the “Jahrespreis der Deutschen Schallplattenkritik” (the “German Record Critics Award” which is voted for by a jury of independent music critics, writers and editors), the “German Jazz Award”, “Choc de l’année” (Jazzman, France), a “BBC Jazz Award” and the “Victoire du Jazz” – the French Grammy – as best international act. They were named “Revelation of the Year”, a special award from Midem.

In 2003 the band released “Seven Days of Falling” (ACT 9012-2). Immediately after release, the album entered the pop charts in Germany, France and Sweden (peaking at No. 15). The album was also released in the USA, Japan and South Korea. The band supported K.D. Lang on her tour of the USA performing in stadiums and large concert halls to over 50000 people.

In Europe e.s.t. has become a major concert attraction, pulling large crowds all over the continent. More than 100000 people watched them perform live in the 12 months after the release of “Seven Days of Falling”. As a result, the band were awarded the 2004 “European Jazz Prize” which was voted for by a jury consisting of representatives from 23 European countries.

Their latest release, Viaticum (ACT 9015-2, January 2005), has surpassed even the success of the previous albums. It entered the pop charts in Germany and France and peaked at number 4 in Sweden. The band toured extensively to support the album and performed in major concert halls and festivals in Europe, Japan, South Korea, China, Australia, Brazil and the USA. They were awarded gold and platinum German Jazz Awards, the IAJE award and the Swedish Grammy as well as becoming the first European jazz band ever to grace the cover of the Downbeat jazz magazine in the USA (May 2006 issue).

The hugely anticipated 10th album from this revered trio, “Tuesday Wonderland” (ACT 9016-2, release date: September 25th 2006) connects directly to "Viaticum”. The interpretation of "Viaticum” was that the music represents the provisions that you take with you on your journey through life. “Tuesday Wonderland” is the spiritual journey itself that opens new worlds and guides you to the Wonderland of e.s.t.’s music. And the journey continues…