Ten nights with one of Sweden’s most beloved voices. Lisa Nilsson returns to her childhood jazz club Fasching with a band of all-star musicians and a new album that Aftonbladet calls “among the most inspired” she has ever made. Here’s how Lisa describes the residency:
“For me, Fasching is part of my upbringing. My parents have had it as a recurring home stage for a lifetime and have also served on the board at times. That ‘dad’s workplace’ feeling never quite goes away. I celebrated my 12th birthday there one August evening in 1982 when Monica Zetterlund was performing. In the ’90s I became part of the Blacknuss collective, and on Fasching’s stage I’ve since been given space to explore my own artistry and musicianship, which has been hugely important for my development and sense of freedom.
At Fasching I’ve sung jazz with Albert ‘Tootie’ Heath, Mads Vinding and Niels Lan Doky, and hosted recurring ‘Lucia jazz’ nights with Erik Söderlind, Chris Montgomery and Niklas Fernqvist. I also brought my Brazil trio there with percussionist Sebastian Notini and guitarist João Castilho, one evening when mine and Sebastian’s parents—old friends pianist Gösta Nilsson, singer Monica Borrfors, drummer Petur ‘Island’ Östlund and artist Anja Notini—were all in the audience together. One of life’s finer circles was completed that night.
To now have the great honor of taking over Fasching for ten nights feels both meaningful and special. I’m at a point where all my sides and different repertoires have merged and no longer clash with each other or with my audience. On my latest album Uteblivna Vi, I draw on the music that shaped me growing up.
I’ve since been touring with an outstanding all-star band featuring Johan Lindström (guitar/pedal steel), Kansan Zetterberg (bass), Jesper Nordenström (piano), Per Lindvall (drums), Jonas Kullhammar (sax/flute), and Mattias Torell (guitar). We’ll of course play some of what we did on the Uteblivna Vi tour, but here there’s also room to vary things more, and to include songs and music I rarely get to perform on larger stages.
I’ll also be inviting guests, and some nights may well take on a more distinct theme. It feels like being handed the keys to the most luxurious youth center of your dreams and gathering all your favorite musician friends. I’ve rarely been as happy about an invitation as when I was offered this!”
