2008 has for me been a year of many shapes and many turns, most of them in a positive way. Here’s a little list of what has happened during the year.
Lived in Vienna, Austria
Actually this one also includes the second half of 2007, but my year in Austria really was great in many ways. I met a lot of very nice people and got a lot of friends. Played with some great musicians, learned (at least ok) German, ate lot’s of Schnitzels and Würstels and enjoyed Austria’s tasty beer.
Skiing in the alps
This was just amazing, tremendous fun and the mountains held one of the most breathtaking views I have ever seen. Getting to know Vienna as a city was great, I really liked the atmosphere and pace there, everything is a bit less serious than in Stockholm. To top everything off, Austria hosted the European Championship of football, Euro 2008. Finally I got the chance to actually be there, and those weeks were just marvelous!
Musically
Here I will remember and take with me all the shows with Vienna Jazz Composers, the gigs with my friend Beate Wiesinger, playing with Lungau Big Band and amazing singer Tony Momrelle in Salzburg, and of course all other concerts I did during my time in Austria. I will also take with me the great saxophone lessons with Klaus Dickbauer and the Friday morning sessions with piano player Erwin Schmidt.
Moved back to Sweden
This was a bit scary at first, considering I had given up all my musical contacts for a whole year. I was pretty nervous over this, afraid I wouldn’t have the chance to play as much as I used to back home. Also I had had no luck finding a place to stay and had to move around by friends for a few weeks. Luckily all things solved to the better, I found a great flat and pretty fast also got back in my old musician life of Stockholm. Moving back also meant meeting all my old friends again, which I of course had missed a lot during my time in Vienna.
France & Italy
Pretty close after I got back to Sweden we went to Chamonix, France, to play with a band put together by the Ahlén Brothers. We also did a gig in Italy and I fell in love with both countries, but especially with Italy. The food there was completely amazing and the people were so kind to us. I hope I get the chance to go back there some day.
Kristian Persson forming Neighbourhood
The first rehearsal with the band Neighbourhood was a blast, and this has continued ever since. Every gig we’ve done has been so full of joy! I love playing with this band and can’t wait to get out and play with these guys again.
Playing at Umeå Jazz Festival
This is the best jazz festival I have ever attended, both as a listener and as a musician. We played there with hip hop artist Cleo, and the way everyone working at the festival and all the people in the audience treated us were totally great. The atmosphere is so creative and open, and all musicians attending just loves playing there. The mix of the program is fantastic and every concert is well visited. I hope I get to play there many times more.
Forming my own band
This autumn I have finally started composing music for a band of my own, something I haven’t done for the past three and a half years or so. I’m really excited, I have asked some of my best friends to participate and I can’t wait to come out and play with this group. Usual Suspects will be our name, make sure you remember that!
Seeing Ludwig again
On Christmas day in Sweden it’s pretty common that you go out and celebrate and meet your old friends. In my case I went out in Linköping with some friends I’ve met during my time in Stockholm. Yes, different cities but we all come from the Linköping area. Anyway, one of my best friends and the leader of the band Fabulous Five, composer and guitar player Ludwig Göransson, came home from Los Angeles where he lives now. He means a lot to me and seeing him really was one of the highlights of the year.
2009
I’m really looking forward to 2009, hoping it will be a year full of laughs among friends (not only mine), great musical moments, love, health, wellness, joy and peace.
Happy new year!