Sunday, June 15, 2008

R.I.P.: Esbjörn Svensson

Pianist Esbjorn Svensson, of the e.s.t. trio, died in a scuba diving accident near Stockholm. He was only 44.
e.st.t. had placed #2 as Best Rising Star Jazz Group in the DownBeat Critics Poll in 2006, and #7 (credited as Esbjorn Svensson Trio) in 2007 in the same poll.

More details:
http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/news.php?id=19452
Swedish jazz musician Esbjörn Svensson, 44 years old, died during a diving accident yesterday outside of Värmdö near Stockholm.
He was in a company of divers on Saturday June 14th at a Swedish jetty/landing stage under supervision of a dive-leader when he was found severely injured at the bottom. Resuscitation was unsuccessful. The police will investigate the cause of Svensson's death. The announcement of the death came as a shock for the chairman of the Swedish Jazz Society: “He was a big name way outside of Sweden."
In 1995 and 1996 Esbjörn Svensson was selected the jazz musician of the year in Sweden.
Esbjorn Svensson Trio, or e.s.t. (not to be confused with Italian Band Electro Shock Therapy), is a Swedish jazz piano trio with Esbjorn Svensson (piano), Dan Berglund (double bass) and Magnus Öström (drums).
e.s.t is renowned for its vibrant style--playing in rock venues to young crowds. It has achieved great commercial success and critical acclaim throughout Europe. From Gagarin's Point of View (ACT, 1999) started its international breakthrough, being the first e.s.t. album to be released outside of Scandinavia.

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