When the legend lives on – a tribute to Alice Babs

When the legend lives on – a tribute to Alice Babs

“I’m not worried about you!” Duke Ellington said to Alice Babs before one of her most legendary concerts. And he was right – the Swedish singer, with her unique voice and stage presence, conquered both churches and concert halls around the world. Alice Babs was not only Sweden’s first Eurovision participant, she was also the only white vocalist in Ellington’s orchestra and an artist who could mimic an entire jazz band with just her voice. Imagine a concert where she, dressed in a Leksandsdräkt or an elegant evening dress, switched with ease between swing, folk songs and classical music – always with a twinkle in her eye and a tone that made the audience hold their breath. Such an evening was not just a concert, it was a musical journey through time and emotions, where every note told a story.

Swingtime has dug into Alice Bab’s inexhaustible treasure of music, and we meet gems by Bengt Hallberg, Nils Lindberg, Povel Ramel, Duke Ellington, Georg Riedel, Richard Rogers, Ulrik Neuman and more with texts by, among others, Signe Hasso, Nils Sjöblom, Beppe Wolgers and Gunnel Linde.

“What tours! What concerts! What collaborations…! You are amazed and fascinated by a musician’s life in another time and realize what an impact she made on us who came after.” says Brita Lindgren.

Experience music mixed with stories and anecdotes from the career and life in the musical story of Alice Babs with Swingtime!

The concert includes an intermission.

Brita Lindgren – vocals

Former theater musician/singer/actor among others Folkteatern, Teater Jaguar, Sångensemblen Amanda.

Lars Reinhold Börjesson – violin

Perhaps one of Sweden’s foremost jazz violinists who, in addition to that, also has Irish, salsa and classical in the repertoire.

Tobias Grim – guitar

One of the most exciting guitarists on the Swedish jazz scene. He moves freely between genres. Often and highly represented on stage and on record.

Johan Bengtsson – double bass

Tirelessly playing on stages with, for example, Thilini Guldbrandt, Cats & Dinosaurs, Jazz Tarturo and much, much more.

“Kronans klanger”
“Kronans klanger” is a concert series that playfully explores Sweden’s musical history from medieval ballads to today’s popular music. Each concert reflects an era that can be symbolized by the women who wore the crown. Louise of Battenberg, who, in addition to her involvement as honorary chairman of Sophiahemmet, liked to both read and listen to music.

“Kronans klanger” is also about highlighting how Swedish music has been influenced by or influenced music from other countries, and explores throughout the year how composers, musicians and artists have been influenced by or influenced music in or from other countries.