Esbjorn Svensson Trio - When Everyone Has Gone 1993

In 1990, Svensson started his own jazz combo with his childhood friend Magnus Oström on percussion. Both had made their first appearances on stage as sidemen in the Swedish and Danish jazz scene during the 1980s. In 1993, bassist Dan Berglund joined the duo, and the Esbjörn Svensson Trio was born. The trio released its debut album, When Everyone Has Gone, in 1993, and in the following years established itself in the Nordic jazz scene. Svensson was nominated for Swedish Jazz Musician of the Year in 1995 and 1996. (wikipedia)

Like so many American players, Sweden's Esbjorn Svensson has backed his share of pop artists but is essentially a jazz improviser at heart. Svensson's enthusiasm for improvisation came through loud and clear on his Dragon dates of the 1990s, one of which was the decent When Everybody Has Gone. Backed by fellow Swedes Dan Berglund (bass) and Magnus Ostrom (drums), Svensson favors the piano trio format and draws on post-bop influences like Chick Corea, Bill Evans and Keith Jarrett on the standard Stella By Starlight and originals ranging from the pensive 4 a.m. to the melancholy Waltz for the Lonely Ones and the Middle Eastern-influenced Mohammed Goes to New York. Much of Svensson's work tends to be introspective and impressionistic, but things get surprisingly funky and almost Horace Silver-ish on Tough Tough.



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Esbjörn Svensson Trio - When everyone has gone 1993
(Stockholm Dragon)

1. When everyone has gone
2. Fingertrip
3. Free four
4. Stella by starlight
5. 4 am
6. Mohammed goes to New York part 1
7. Mohammed goes to New York part 2
8. Waltz for the lonely ones
9. Silly walk
10. Tough tough
11. Hands off


Esbjörn Svensson, piano, keyboards
Dan Berglund, bas, whistle
Magnus Oström, trummor, sång