Claes Janson, Andreas Hellkvist & Jojo Djeridi
Claes Janson, one of Sweden´s most revered blues and jazz vocalists renders select pieces from his musical treasure trove.
About the artist and musicians
With his distinctive voice, Claes Janson has made an indelible mark on the landscape of Swedish Jazz, blues and folk traditions in the part 50 years. He has worked with sundry groups and musicians like Good Morning Blues, Gugge Hedrenius Big Blues Band, Georgie Fame, Sandviken Big Band, Öhman Organ Grinders, Kjell Öhman, Georg Riedel, Rune Gustafsson, Anders Widmark, Hans Backenroth. In 1990 his song ”Do you still have your bike” became a hit and two years after he received the prestigious Cornelis Prize. Claes has been involved in musical projects honouring among others Nat King Cole, Cornelis Vreeswijk, Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder. Recently Claes has worked closlely with famed Danish also-saxofonist Christina von Bülow.
Hammondorgan virtuoso Andreas Hellkvist has in the past 20 years performed in different groups, mostly in the jazz and blues genres. He has come out with several albums specially since 2016 – with his own and others’ compositions. Particularly, his long joint duo performance with Claes Janson has been remarkably received and appreciated. Andreas skill and emotive delivery on the Hammond never cease to amaze and delight the audience in audio-visual terms. His published clips in social media has reached a wide audience nationally as well as internationally.
Jojo has been a professional jazz drummer since 1985. His playing style is comprised by a powerful swing, polyrhythmic escapades and a great dynamic span. He can make the drums whisper and he can make them shout. During his career he has played with most Swedish jazz musicians. Early collaborations include saxophone players Nisse Sandström and Krister Andersson. For some 10 years he played with Maffy Falay and Bernt Rosengren at jazz club Lilla Maria in Stockholm. Later he has played with Arko Big Band with Maria Schneider as the leader. Famed bassist Palle Danielsson, saxophone player Krister Andersson and pianist Lars Jansson worked with him in his debutalbum Alis Kitchen (2020).
Lineup:
Claes Janson - vocals,
Andreas Hellkvist - Hammond organ,
Jojo Djeridi - drums