Jazz in Sweden in the 21st century is nothing short of a reaffirmation of its innovative music scene. While the country has long been home to jazz legends like Jan Johansson (Jazz på svenska turned 60 in 2024) and Esbjörn Svensson, a new generation of artists is releasing albums that are equally fascinating. We will dive here into the heart of Sweden’s contemporary jazz movement, exploring five standout albums, highlighting musicians who deserve your attention, and suggesting three independent labels for you to explore further on your own.
Now that we have passed the first quarter of the 21st century, this "Jazz in Around the World" series of articles aims to highlight key releases from specific countries by artists or groups who did not release albums under their own names during the 20th century. Our goal is to ensure that new talents are not overshadowed by legends and to offer you the opportunity to discover amazing new musicians and albums.
If you wish to contribute to this series for a specific country, feel free to contact us.
Here lies the already bright future of Swedish jazz:
5 Key Swedish Jazz Releases
The following selection is listed chronologically by release date:
Goran Kajfeš
X/Y
(Headspin Recordings, 2010)
Swedish trumpeter and composer Goran Kajfeš has created his niche with a one-of-a-kind mix of jazz and electronic sounds. His music reflects not only the serene Stockholm suburb where he was born, but also his vibrant Zagreb roots.
Kajfeš made his solo debut with Home in 2000. The album introduced his fusion of jazz and funk-electronic music, setting the stage for his approach. He followed up with Headspin in 2004, where electronica meets afrobeat, Miles Davis-inspired mystique blends with dub, and Balkan swing dances with jazz improvisation [*].
His third album, X/Y, not only received the prestigious Nordic Music Prize but also earned high praise from The Independent, which named it the jazz album of the year. The double album’s two distinct sides perfectly define and affirm Kajfeš’ range and vision:
On X, the first CD, Kajfeš leads The Subtropic Arkestra through a kaleidoscopic mix of global sounds. Indian, African, and Balkan influences intertwine with jazz, funk, and psychedelic tones, creating an impossible-to-stay-still experience.
On Y, Kajfeš turns inward, exploring a more intimate, experimental sound with just his trumpet and electronics. The result is a deeply atmospheric and almost psychedelic journey, evoking the hypnotic vibes of German Krautrock.
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Goran Kajfes: trumpet, percussion, synthesizer bass; Suranjana Ghosh: tablas; Jonas Kullhammar: tenor saxophone, flute, bass saxophone; Per Johansson: baritone saxophone, flute, bass drum; Jesper Nordenström: organ, Fender Rhodes, logan string melody; Robert Östlund: Moog, electric guitar; Johan Berthling: acoustic and electric bass; Johan Holmegard, Fredrik Björling, Lars Skoglund: drums; Andreas Söderström: acoustic and electric guitar, key harp; Hanna Ekström: violin; Johan Lindström: electric guitar, guzen; Majid Bekkas: vocals, oud
Discover next: The Reason Why’s Original Tracks – Goran Kajfes Subtropic Arkestra
Lisa Ullén
Piano Works
(Disorder, 2018)
Lisa Ullén—Swedish pianist and composer—is a significant solo artist and a dynamic collaborator, contributing to collectives such as Anna Högberg Attack, Festen, and Space, while sharing the stage with avant-garde heavyweights. But her influence goes beyond her performances. Ullén’s contributions to the Swedish jazz scene are also cultural, as she fosters a space for improvisation and creative freedom. Through her involvement with FRIM (Föreningen för Fri Improviserad Musik), a non-profit organization that has played a crucial role in Sweden’s jazz and experimental music scenes since 1976, she helps to cement the country’s reputation as a hub for innovative music.
She was born in Seoul, and arrived at the age of four in Sweden. Initially focused on contemporary classical music, Ullén transitioned to improvisational music in the late 1990s, delving into free jazz, avant-garde, and experimental genres.
Meeting Ullén in person adds a dimension to her music. She appears reserved yet joyful, always surrounded by close friends and family. Her presence is as grounded and genuine as her approach to music. This attentiveness to the very moment—whether in life or at the piano—must be the key to her improvisational finesse. When Ullén performs, she captures the now: the now of her will, the now of our attention, in a musical expression that is so enjoyable.
So is Piano Works.
Released on her own label, it is a three-CD box set that invites you to lose yourself in it. By mirroring her dedication to the moment, you will find yourself immersed in this advanced yet surprisingly comfortable experience—simply by giving your full attention to the music, just as she does.
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Lisa Ullén: piano
Petter Eldh Presents Koma Saxo
Petter Eldh Presents Koma Saxo
(We Jazz, 2019)
Petter Eldh is a Swedish bassist, composer, and producer. Born in Gothenburg, he studied at the Jazz Institute in Berlin, a city that became his creative home and played a pivotal role in shaping his musical career. It was there that he met Christian Lillinger, a collaboration that would become central to his work.
With Koma Saxo, Eldh has created something truly special. The project features a powerhouse lineup of saxophonists alongside Lillinger on drums and delivers a sound that, as the album’s sticker boldly claims, “will melt your brain.” Eldh orchestrates a dynamic collision of raw improvisation, intricate rhythms, and bold production techniques. The music blends jazz, hip-hop, and experimental elements, weaving live performances with studio recordings into a soundscape that is simply stunning.
Petter Eldh is meant to become one of the most influential Swedish musicians of our time.
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Petter Eldh: bass; Christian Lillinger: drums; Otis Sandsjö: tenor saxophone; Jonas Kullhammar: tenor saxophone; Mikko Innanen: alto & baritone saxophones
Anna Högberg Attack
Lena
(Omlott, 2020)
In fönstret #3, People and Places, a book published in 2022 by Ideell Edition featuring a collection of texts by artists orbiting around the Swedish jazz scene, Elsa Bergman wrote a deeply touching piece about Anna Högberg. She delicately expressed her sorrow upon realizing the depth of her friend’s anxiety: “I remember we used to joke about her thoughts of disaster, and I probably never understood the seriousness within the humor.”
Högberg took a step back from playing and touring for a while. We mention this with care, knowing she is out there once again—playing, daring, and experimenting. And for that, we are truly grateful.
But it brings to light a familiar frustration for us, the audience—feeling powerless to communicate with the musicians who give us so much. Of course, no one in an audience can take on the personal struggles of an artist. Yet, the energy and gratitude we hold could offer a solid ground, a kind of silent support, to help them face whatever they need to confront.
So, to you, Anna Högberg, and to all the musicians featured on this page: I hope you find strength in these words, just as your music gives us the energy we need and the solace we seek.
This is not so much of a review, but be sure that Lena is as raw as free jazz can be, poignant as a scream, sorrowful, deeply, and yet groovy as hell.
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Anna Högberg: alto saxophone; Elin Forkelid: tenor saxophone; Niklas Barnö: trumpet; Lisa Ullén: piano; Elsa Bergman: bass; Anna Lund: drums.
Fire! Orchestra
Echoes
(Rune Grammofon, 2023)
Fire! Orchestra’s debut album, Exit!, was released in 2013. From that perspective, it aligns with our goal of highlighting ‘new’ artists and groups. However, since the orchestra was formed around Fire!, a trio built by Johan Berthling, Andreas Werliin, and Mats Gustafsson—the latter being undeniably one of Sweden’s jazz legends—this album could have been excluded from our selection.
Nevertheless, we’ve chosen to focus on the fact that Fire! Orchestra is a product of the 21st century. Period.
What makes Echoes so important is not only its exceptional music but also that this particular incarnation of the orchestra brings together nearly all the prominent Swedish jazz musicians of our time (just take a look at the list below—most of these names appear elsewhere on this page).
Mixed by Jim O’Rourke himself, the album opens slowly and beautifully, with a Melodie Nelson inspired orchestration, only here, Gustafsson’s unique saxophone takes the place of Gainsbourg’s vocals. And so it goes for nearly two hours, maintaining an intensely calm tension, where chaos is compressed into a tight density that occasionally bursts, always beautifully unified by the incredible Johan Berthling.
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Mats Gustafsson: baritone saxophone, flute, conductor; Johan Berthling: double bass, electric bass; Andreas Werliin: drums; Signe Krunderup Emmeluth: alto saxophone; Anna Högberg, Julia Strzalek, Lars Göran Ulander, Mette Rasmussen: alto saxophone, flute; Dror Feiler: alto saxophone, flute, bells; Niklas Fite: banjo; Alberto Pinton: baritone saxophone, clarinet, bass flute; Daniel Gahrton: baritone saxophone, flute; Andreas Röysum: bass clarinet, clarinet, flute; Christer Bothén: bass clarinet, guimbri, Ngoni; Amalie Stalheim, My Hellgren: cello; Isak Hedtjärn: clarinet; Elsa Bergman: double bass; Martin Hederos: electric piano, organ; Mats Lindström: electronics; Reine Fiske: guitar; Per Texas Johansson: oboe, bassoon, bass clarinet, contrabass clarinet, flute; Juan Romero: percussion, berimbau; Sten Sandell: piano; Alex Zethson: piano, synthesizer; Per Ruskträsk Johansson: sopranino saxophone, bass flute; Elin Forkelid, Fredrik Ljungkvist, Joe McPhee: tenor saxophone; Maria Bertel, Mats Äleklint: trombone; Niklas Barnö, Susana Santos Silva, Tobias Wiklund: trumpet; Goran Kajfeš: trumpet; Heiða Karine Jóhannesdóttir Mobeck, Per Åke Holmlander: tuba; Kjell Nordeson: vibraphone, glockenspiel; Anna Lindal, Josefin Runsteen: violin; David Sandström, Joe McPhee, Mariam Wallentin, Tomas Öberg: vocals
Discover next: Best Jazz Albums of 2023
Five releases to sum up jazz in Sweden—a bit short, one could say. True. But first, it is more a pause here than a full stop, as we are open to expanding this list over time to keep up with Sweden’s ongoing excellence. Second, you can always discover more by exploring the following three independent labels:
Swedish Jazz Labels to Follow:
Moserobie Music Production
Founded in 2000, Moserobie Music Production has began as a way to release its founder–Jonas Kullhammar–own debut album, Salut, but quickly evolved into a platform for a broader community of artists. Today, Moserobie boasts an eclectic catalog, showcasing not only Kullhammar’s projects but also a diverse lineup of the greatest musicians on the Scandinavian scene.
The label’s ethos reflects Kullhammar’s artistic vision: fiercely independent and creatively fearless, perfectly summed up in its presentation: ‘Our main purpose is neither innovation nor tradition, but simply personal expression.’
We recommend diving into:
Jonas Kullhammar – Gentlemen (Original Motion Picture Jazz Tracks) (Moserobie Music Production, 2014)
Thanatosis Produktion
Thanatosis Produktion was founded in 2016 by composer and keyboardist Alex Zethson. Over the years, the label has steadily built a reputation for releasing stunning experimental and avant-garde sounds. It gained significant momentum around 2020-21, emerging as one of Sweden’s most prolific experimental labels.
According to Zethson, Thanatosis primarily aims to release music that strengthens the local music community. However, his vision extends beyond Stockholm, as he hopes to create a lasting documentation of the city’s contemporary music scene while fostering international collaborations that connect Swedish artists with creative communities worldwide.
The label’s roster features a mix of solo artists and ensembles such as Angles, Martin Küchen, Johan Berthling, Christer Bothén, Miharu Ogura, Tomas Hallonsten, Linnéa Talp, Susana Santos Silva, Amina Hocine, Kristine Scholz and VÖ.
We recommend diving into:
Vilhelm Bromander – In This Forever Unfolding Moment (Thanatosis Produktion, 2023)
Hoob Records
Hoob Records is an independent record label founded in 2008 in Goteborg by 3 musicians with a shared vision for creative freedom and artistic integrity: Fabian and Josef Kallerdahl, and Michael Edlund. The label operates as a collective of musicians, giving artists significant control over their music, from production to release.
They are the home of New Tide Orquesta, Lina Nyberg, MUSICMUSICMUSIC, Klabbes Bank, Nils Berg Cinemascope, Lisa Björänge, Lina Nyberg, Anders Boson Jazz Ensemble, Martin Höper, Linus Lindblom, Thus Owls, Josef & Erika, Lindha Kallerdahl, The Stoner, David Andréas, Dynamike, Daniel Ögren, Le Système, Andreas Gidlund Quartet, The World, The Other Woman, Olof Skoog Kvartett and Our Park.
We recommend diving into:
The Splendor – Forest (Hoob Jazz, 2014)
Jazz in Sweden: The Best Releases of the 21st Century
- Goran Kajfeš – X/Y (Headspin Recordings, 2010)
- Lisa Ullén – Piano Works (Disorder, 2018)
- Petter Eldh Presents Koma Saxo – Petter Eldh Presents Koma Saxo (We Jazz, 2019)
- Anna Högberg Attack – Lena (Omlott, 2020)
- Fire! Orchestra – Echoes (Rune Grammofon, 2023)
So, there you have it—our take on jazz in Sweden, in the 21st century. Sure, this list might feel a bit short, but it’s only the beginning. We will continue expanding our selections here and to other countries, celebrating the first quarter of this century as it deserves.
Have we missed an album you love? Is there an emerging artist we should know about? Drop us a line in the comments—we’d love to keep the conversation going. In the meantime, just immerse yourself in these five outstanding Swedish jazz releases.