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Magnus Öström

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

Magnus Öström is a Swedish drummer, born in Skultuna in 1965. He was the child of two artists and grew up with the tastes of his older brother, who listened to Jimi Hendrix, Deep Purple and The Allman Brothers. At eight he built his first drum kit and played with his friend Esbjörn Svensson. He studied at the music academy in Stockholm and played on the Stockholm scene.

Music and breakthrough

To become known he did not have to look far. With Svensson and bassist Dan Berglund he formed the Esbjörn Svensson Trio, e.s.t. for short. That group released twelve albums and toured internationally with great success, until Svensson was killed in an accident in 2008. Öström then took a break. In 2010 he founded his own quartet with guitarist Andreas Hourdakis and two keyboardists. Their first album Thread of Life from 2011 contains a tribute to Svensson, Ballad for E, and won the German Echo Jazz prize in 2012. Searching for Jupiter followed in 2013 with a more optimistic tone. Later releases include Parachute, Taste of Honey and A Room for Travellers.

Influence

His playing is shaped by rock, and you can hear that in the groove and the dense sound. Together with e.s.t. he helped bring about a European piano-trio jazz that addressed itself to the rock and pop audience.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to Ballad for E from Thread of Life and notice how the drums stay soft and restrained and how the atmosphere slowly builds.

Discography

Studio albums

In School of Rock

The chapters, maps and magazine stories of School of Rock are currently available in Dutch only.

Categories: Artists