Stefan Karlsson Smilin‘ Eyes (2011)

Stefan Karlsson

Stefan Karlsson was born and raised in Vastervik, Sweden. After high school he moved to the United States on a scholarship to study at the University of North Texas. He graduated in 1991 with a Mas-ter’s Degree in jazz studies.

In 1990, Stefan signed a three-CD recording con-tract with Justice Records Houston, Texas. His latter two recordings were a great success on the national jazz radio charts, GAVIN and R&R, with a !rst place, on both charts, for his second release “The Road Not Taken.” Stefan’s fourth release, “Live at Vartan Jazz,” was recorded in 1997 by Var-tan Jazz Records in Denver, Colorado. The album is a live recording and features bassist Eddie Gomez and drummer Eliot Zigmund.

Further, in 1993, he signed an exclusive publish-ing agreement with Equity Music Corporation, Hol-lywood, California. His music was featured in the 1994 movie releases “Sugar Hill” (featuring Wesley Snipes), “Twenty Bucks” (featuring Christopher Loyd), and the 1997 Independent !lm “Strays.” Over the years, his music has also been featured on the television series “Melrose Place,” “Party of Five,” “Wings” and “Homicide.”

After having resided in Denver, Colorado (1991-1994) and in Las Vegas, Nevada (1994-2002), ful!lling his duties as Coordinator of Jazz Studies at UNLV, Stefan is currently a professor of music

in the University of North Texas’ jazz studies divi-sion. Stefan stays active playing at festivals, clubs and conferences worldwide as leader and sideman. His discography includes 63 recordings with eight CD’s as leader.

Since 1996, Stefan has been a member of the Ed-die Gomez Trio and Quartet (including Jimmy Cobb, Nasheet Waitts, Billy Hart, Duduka da Fonseca, and Jeremy Steig) frequently touring Japan, Eu-rope and the United States. He has also recorded and performed with artists such as Jesse Davis, Herb Ellis, Jim Ferguson, Carl Fontana, Tim Hagans, Steve Houghton, Clay Jenkins, Marc Johnson, Rich Matteson, Red Mitchell, Dick Oatts, Rich Perry, Chris Potter, Rufus Reid, Marvin “Smitty” Smith, Ed Soph, Marvin Stamm, Harvie S, Mark Walker, Tom Warrington, Jiggs Wigham, Eliot Zigmund, and oth-ers. In addition, Stefan has performed as an accom-panist for vocalists Patti Austin with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra (Morton Myerson Symphony Hall,) and with Monica Mancini with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra (Bass Symphony Hall.)

Stefan has had the opportunity to travel the globe performing in concert halls, festivals, clubs, and doing clinics at conferences and universities. Inter-nationally, his travels have taken him throughout Japan, Scotland, Italy, Spain, France, Sweden, Fin-land, Mexico, Germany, Korea, and Australia.

Stefan Karlsson

“Karlsson o"ers a profound taste of carefully crafted phrases….he is a pianist with great sensi-tivity and a huge capacity”.

Swing Journal Magazine (Japan)

“The thrilling excitement, which I used to feel, when I played with Bill {Evans} comes alive when I am playing with Stefan. He is a pianist who is ab-solutely bound to receive much attention[from an Eddie Gomez interview]”.

CD Journal Magazine (Japan)

“Karlsson avoids being totally predictable. He does not limit himself to the most obvious and over-done standards. Karlsson, God bless him, actually bothers to do his homework…”

Allmusic.com

“His broad use of the keyboard and full sound are out when he works with the rhythm section…an adventurous route that is not marred by too often traveled ruts-refreshing”.

Jazz Times Magazine

“…the precise pianist, Stefan Karlsson”JazzReview.com

“The European Fake Book”Over 100 of some of Europe’s Best jazz writers, in-cluding: Stefan Karlsson

Sher Music Co.

Stefan Karlsson

New record: “Smilin’ Eyes”Release date: March 1st, 2011

Stefan Karlsson, piano

Smilin’ Eyes is the !rst solo piano album recorded by Stefan Karlsson. A solo performance, it is for a pianist like his footprints. Karlsson’s soul and strength are shown here with no interference or protection of a group.

Not many jazz pianists have the ability of maintaining the interest and intensity over an hour of a solo piano performance. Stefan Karlsson not only achieves that, but creates a warm atmosphere along the album, showing a wide palette of resources and colors.

He uses the standard repertoire as a tool to express his personal voice. We can always feel the roots of the jazz idiom in his music. Long lyrical melody lines combined with the bebop phrasing (I Thought About You), the modal improvising (It Could Happen to You), the inventive voicings and fresh re-harmonizations (Darn that Dream), the deftly executed gradations of touch on the keyboard (My One and Only Love), the winks to the Classical literature (All The Things you Are), combined all togeth-er with an amazing imagination on the treatment of the form.

The album includes also two original songs: the beautiful opening track “Trikings”, and “Smilin’ Eyes”, featured in the European Real Book edited by Sher Music Co.

Smilin’ Eyes is a masterpiece that consolidates Stefan Karlsson as one of the strongest pianist of the international jazz scene.

01. TrikingsStefan Karlsson

02. I Thought About YouJimmy Van Heusen / Johnny Mercer

03. All The Things You AreJerome Kern / Oscar Hammerstein II

04. Old FolksWillard Robison / Dedette Lee Hill

05. How Deep Is The OceanIrving Berlin

06. Smilin’ EyesStefan Karlsson

07. My One And Only LoveGuy Wood / Robert Mellin

08. FootprintsWayne Shorter

09. Darn That DreamJimmy Van Heusen / Eddie DeLange

10. It Could Happen To YouJimmy Van Heusen / Johnny Burke

Stefan Karlsson

Selected discography

Booking & Management: bebyne managementmanagement@bebyne.com . www.bebyne.com

Distribution: Absolute Distribution info@absolutedistribution.com . www.absolutedistribution.com

AS A LEADER“Smilin’ Eyes” (Bebyne Records, 2011)“Decisions” (Summit Records, 2010)“Music is Forever” (TNC Jazz, 2005)“No Place To Go But Up” (TNC Jazz, 2000) “Music Box” (TNC Jazz, 1998)“Live at Vartan Jazz” (Vartan Jazz Records, 1997)“Below Zero” (Justice Records, 1994)“The Road Not Taken” (Justice Records, 1992)“Room 292” (Justice Records, 1991)

AS A SIDEMANWith the Eddie Gomez Trio & Quartet – Featuring Jimmy Cobb and Jeremy Steig:“Eddie Gomez Trio – Live in Mexico” (2010)“Palermo” (2006)“Eddie Gomez Trio – Live in Japan” (2001)“What’s New at Studio F” (2001)“Uptown Music” (1998)“Dedication” (1997)

With the One O’clock Lab Band- University of North Texas:“Lab ‘90”, “Lab ‘89” and “Lab ‘86”“Live in Australia” (1986)“With Respect to Stan Kenton” (1986)

Other collaborations:“Bi-Coastal Collective- Chapter One“. Paul Tynan and Aaron Lington (2009) “Out Of The New “. Steve Wiest (2008)“The Jazz Trombone”. Carl Fontana & Al Hermann (2004)“Norrbotten Big Band”. Swedish Radio Archives (2004)“Elegance”. Marvin Stamm Quartet (2001)“First Morning”. Wayne de Silva (2001)“Keepin’ Up With The Boneses”. Carl Fontana & Jiggs Whigham (2000) “Deep Summer Music” featuring Chris Potter. Jim Ferguson (2000)“Cosmic Soul”. Phil Wigfall (2000)“Down-Home”. Herb Ellis (1996)“Fred Wayne Orchestra”(1996)“Life is A Take”. Red Mitchell & Rich Matteson (1987)“Serendipity”. Scott Whit!eld (1986)

© 2011 bebyne records

For further information, please contact:Bebyne Productions, S.L. P.O. Box 6.024, 08080 Barcelona, Spaininfo@bebyne.comwww.bebyne.com