Swedish Swing Society - At home
Antti Sarpila, clarinet and piano (tr 5, 9 and 11)
Ulf Johansson Werre, piano, trombone, vocals and whistling
Björn Sjödin, drums
Swedish Swing Society is a well-known jazz phenomenon both in Sweden and internationally. Originally it was a quartet in the spirit of Goodman-Hampton and was a unique force in the jazz world. Now the group has become a trio, following the death in March 2009 of vibraphone-player Lars "Lasse" Erstrand who was loved and admired by everyone. In spite of being marked by a lengthy illness he went on playing right up to the end.
The title of this CD is At Home. And in fact the recording took place in Ulf Johansson Werre's living room at his home in Eriksberg, not far from the historic university city of Uppsala. Ulf's own piano is heard, and even his trombone on the occasions when Antti Sarpila puts his clarinet aside and replaces him at the piano. Björn Sjödin, who comes from northern Sweden where people are known for their laid-back approach to life, remains seated at his drums, diligently keeping the beat for the other two. That we have here three musicians who really enjoy playing together is very evident. That is why they continue playing as a trio.