Nils Landgren

In the organizer's words:

Where it comes from, what constitutes it, man learns not least through tradition. Perhaps the most important spiritual tradition in the Western world is Christmas - and music is a crucial part of it. Around the world, Christmas carols result in a genre of their own, linked to the celebratory and joyful community like no other. Christmas music has also always held a magical attraction for many jazz musicians*. Trombonist, singer and producer Nils Landgren, who has long been one of Europe's most versatile, creative and successful jazz musicians, has dreamed for many years of celebrating a musical Christmas - in the company of good friends and with a selection from the many, very different Christmas songs he has encountered throughout his career. In 2006 the time had come, and because 'Christmas With My Friends' was soon considered by fans and critics alike to be one of the most beautiful Christmas records ever recorded, this project grew into a whole series, which was released every two years and also toured regularly.

Together with his musical confidants Jonas Knutsson (saxophone), Johan Norberg (guitar), Clas Lassbo (bass) and Ida Sand on piano, and as one of a total of four singers together with Sharon Dyall, Jessica Pilnäs and Jeanette Köhn, Landgren brings his popular Christmas project to the stage again this Advent.

Speaking about the working process on 'Christmas With My Friends,' Landgren says, "Everyone is happy and excited," he says, "and that spirit carries over to an album." The program of traditionals and cover versions would come together in the best spirit of friendship imaginable, "I always have a few ideas myself, of course, but I ask everyone for two suggestions. Then we see how it fits best and how we can arrange it, especially for guitar and piano as leading harmony instruments. We all work together on it, it's really very democratic." Logically, with the equal participation of so many diverse and highly skilled individuals, a tremendous range emerges all by itself. And the democratic approach also explains why the pieces, which are so diverse, come together in perfect harmony. A special highlight are the choral passages with the four female singers.

Female artists of this format are rarely heard together. "We practiced for a long time, it's really not as easy as it sounds," Landgren emphasizes. But the special attraction for all of them was to immerse themselves again in this clear, forceful and, for jazz musicians, technically unusually reduced musical language. It is the reflection on the essentials, "for me that is always simply necessary," says Landgren. 'Christmas With My Friends' remains, whether on CD or as a live tour, an invocation of peace and friendship that everyone can wholeheartedly join. And so Nils Landgren and his friends* never tire of telling their personal musical Christmas story.

Every year again. Because it's so beautiful!

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Price information:

Tickets from 39€ plus fee.