Henning Ullén Trio / Stockholm Jazz Orchestra

The pianist and composer Henning Ullén here shares his latest musical works. The music clearly takes its cue from jazz, blending strong melodies with playful improvisation. Henning Ullén is an award-winning pianist and composer primarily active in jazz and improvisational music. Henning is the son of the internationally acclaimed pianist and composer Lisa Ullén. He studied at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm, Berklee College of Music, and the Paris Conservatory (CNSDMP). Henning Ullén was one of Sweden’s most promising and acclaimed young jazz trumpeters when he had to end his trumpet career in 2019 due to a rare illness that caused dizziness and headaches while playing the trumpet. He then quickly transitioned to piano and released his first album, Debut, in 2021. Märet Öman commented on Henning’s musical journey in the program P1 Kultur (SR): ”Switching instruments from trumpet to piano in just two years shows immense musicality.” Henning’s piano playing is organic; the breathing and phrasing in his playing make it clear that he is originally a brass musician. His music has drive, direction, and instills hope. His playing style reminds me of a classically trained musician, soft yet distinct and personal. It reminds me of Lars Janson or Esbjörn Svensson.”

Stockholm Jazz Orchestra is celebrating 40 years of jazz music! If you think that modern hard-swinging jazz and poignant ballads rooted in tradition with star soloists and refined arrangements sound exciting, then you have found the right band. SJO will celebrate its forty-first year as a jazz band in 2025. During these 40 years, large parts of the world have been visited, such as the USA, Mexico, Argentina, Uruguay, South Africa, England, Ireland, Switzerland, Spain, Denmark, Norway, Finland. Clubs such as Village Vanguard, Ronnie Scott’s, and festivals like Copenhagen Jazz Festival, Skeppsholmen Jazz Festival, Festival International Cervantino in Guanajuato, Mexico, among others, have also been part of our venues. The band has released 20 CDs, the last two released in 2024, one with music by Martin Sjöstedt ”Horizon” on the English label UbuntuMusic with glowing reviews in England, and a CD with music by Göran Strandberg ”Utsira” on the Swedish label Tengtones. Countless radio recordings have been made as the band essentially functioned as a radio jazz group for several years. The guest list is long with names like Bob Brookmeyer, Bob Mintzer and the Yellowjackets, Bob Florence, Mel Lewis, Jim McNeely, Maria Schneider, Bill Holman, Monica Zetterlund, Toots Thielemans, Susana Rinaldo, Juan-Jose Mosalini, Carlos Franzetti, Jan Allan, Stan Tracey, Norma Winstone, Dick Oatts, Gary Smulyan, Steve Slagle, Rigmor Gustafsson, to name a few. We will play music that in some way summarizes these 40 years and all the music that has been created. Numbers by, among others, Bob Mintzer, Jim McNeely, Bob Brookmeyer, John Coltrane, as well as by our own band members, will be performed.

Lineup:
HENNING ULLÉN TRIO
Henning Ullén - piano, Mats Sandahl - kontrabas, Nils Agnas - trumset.

STOCKHOLM JAZZ ORCHESTRA
Fredrik Norén - trumpet, Karl Olandersson - trumpet, Nils Jansson - trumpet, Magnus Broo - trumpet, Peter Dahlgren - trombon, Hampus Adami - trombon, Hannes Junestav - trombon, Anders Wiborg - trombon, Johan Hörlén - saxofon, Fredrik Kronkvist - saxofon, Sebastian Mattebo - saxofon, Karl-Martin Almqvist - saxofon, Fredrik Lindborg - saxofon, Daniel Tilling - piano, Martin Sjöstedt - kontrabas, Adam Ross - trumset.