Lars Erstrand

Lars Erstrand, born in Uppsala, Sweden, was a renowned jazz vibraphonist and bandleader, celebrated for his mastery of the swing genre. Beginning his musical journey on the piano, Erstrand's life took a pivotal turn after hearing Lionel Hampton, inspiring him to switch to the vibraphone. His career flourished in the 1960s when he joined a band led by clarinetist Ove Lind, emulating the swing style of the legendary Benny Goodman. Throughout his illustrious career, Erstrand released over 65 albums, including notable works like "Two Sides of Lars Erstrand" and "The Complete Songs," the latter of which he proudly declared as his finest. Erstrand's vibraphone playing was perfectly suited to swing music, earning him the title "Mister Swing" among jazz enthusiasts. His contributions to both Swedish and international jazz secured his status as one of the great names in 20th-century jazz.