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Lars Danielsson

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Lars Danielsson is a Swedish jazz bassist, cellist and composer, born in Smålandsstenar in 1958. He studied at the conservatoire in Gothenburg, initially classical cello, but switched to jazz after being impressed by a concert by Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen. He plays double bass, electric bass and cello. In 1985 he formed a quartet with the saxophonist Dave Liebman, the pianist Bobo Stenson and the drummer Jon Christensen. That quartet was sometimes billed under his name and made several albums.

Music and breakthrough

Danielsson has worked with a long list of jazz musicians, including John Scofield, Jack DeJohnette, Mike Stern, Billy Hart, Charles Lloyd, Terri Lyne Carrington, Leszek Możdżer, Tigran Hamasyan, Bugge Wesseltoft and Gino Vannelli. Under his own name he released records such as New Hands, Fresh Enough, Continuation, Far North, Our Standards, Fast Company, Shortcuts and Libera Me. Guests such as John Abercrombie, Kenny Wheeler, Bill Evans and Niels Lan Doky play on his albums.

Influence

He has also been active as a producer, including for Cæcilie Norby and the Danish radio orchestra. His music has a North European clarity, with plenty of room for melody and for the singing tone of his instrument. In this way Danielsson belongs among the Scandinavian bassists who have shaped the sound of European jazz.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to a track from Libera Me and notice the bass or cello, which puts the melody in front and moves through the piece almost singing.

Discography

Studio albums

Categories: Artists