Born: October 19, 1970 Primary Instrument: Piano
Jacob Karlzon’s new CD, THE BIG PICTURE, is out on Stunt Records. The album was produced jointly by Karlzon and the renowned sound engineer Lars Nilsson, and recorded at Nilento Studio in Gothenburg. Nilsson is often referred to as the group’s fourth member, because the creative atmos- phere in his studio plays an important role in the sound and music on Jacob Karlzon 3’s new release.
JK3 constantly seeks new challenges, and THE BIG PICTURE shows the trio combining influences from classical impressionism, ethnic music and American metal with a modern Scandinavian jazz-lyricism, a pul- sating, mesmerizing and immediate beat, and the buzz of improvised music.
Karlzon’s virtuosity and technical acumen are well known: Beauty meets raw power in a myriad of nuances and colorings. A tasteful use of elec- tronics and elements from pop and rock contribute to the enticing sound of this modern trio jazz, as JK3 generously invite their audiences on an intense ride without ever sacrificing their artistic integrity. THE BIG PICTURE includes original music by Karlzon alongside a remarkable and highly personal version of “Maniac” from Flashdance.
Born in 1970 in Jönköping, Sweden, Jacob Karlzon is already a seasoned jazz performer. Since his record debut in 1992, he has recorded seven albums in his own name and worked on more than 40 as a sideman. Jacob has been compared with great musicians like Keith Jarrett, Bill Evans and Sweden’s legendary pianist, Jan Johansson. His playing is easily recogniza- ble in its striking blend of sparkling technique and rhythmic and harmo- nic complexity. Over the years he has received numerous awards including the Django d’Or award for Contemporary Star of Jazz in 2010 and Jazz Musician of the Year 2010 in Sweden’s Channel 2 audience poll.
Awards:
The Django d’Or award for Contemporary Star of Jazz in 2010 Jazz Musician of the Year 2010 in Sweden’s Channel 2 audience poll.“Pianist Jacob Karlzon is quite simply superb. His solos tell a story while incorporating surprising harmonic devices; his left hand accompaniment moves between the forcefulness of a McCoy Tyner to the subtlety of a Bill Evans. Karlzon may well be one of the finest emerging jazz pianists anywhere in the world.” --Garry Lee, Australian daily paper.
“Karlzon stakes a credible claim to be counted up there alongside such hallowed Swedish pianists as Bengt Hallberg, --Jan Johansson and Bobo Stensson”
Heat (Caprice Records, 2009)
Improvisational 3 (Caprice Records, 2008)
Human Factor (Music Mecca, 2005)
Big 5 (Prophone Records, 2003)
Today (Prophone Records, 2002)
Going Places (Prophone Records, 1998)
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