About
Mississippi Seven
The photo, taken by our trombone player, is taken during a dance gig recently.
This is a happy jazz band
Traditional jazz classics from 1920 to 1940
Celebrating more than 30 years of Hot Jazz! Mississippi Seven is a seven piece band that recycles golden oldies and happy, snappy tunes from the bitter-sweet epoch when hot jazz was spreading up the lazy river on Mississippi paddle steamers to gin mills and ball rooms in Chicago and New York. The band was formed 1992 at the local jazz club in Norrtelje. In 1998 Mississippi Seven was voted Swedish Masters of Happy Jazz. Hans Brandgård, trombone, and Anders Alm, alto saxophone, were decorated with the Friends of Swedish Trad Jazz Armstrong-award. Click on Watch & Listen for video and sound clips. As you will hear, the repertoire includes both well known evergreens, jazz classics and some unusual melodies -- fast numbers as well as ballads. Mississippi Seven gives splendour to your festival, concert, event or dance party and we look forward to hearing from you.
Band members
Bent Persson - trumpet & cornet
Highly accomplished Bent is one of the jazz world’s foremost interpreters of Louis Armstrong and has performed in many different contexts across all continents. His enthusiasm and cultural contributions to classical jazz cannot be emphasized enough. In addition, he is a skilled arranger in both large and small jazz settings where traditional jazz forms the core. He has led his own “early jazz” bands and has been a guest soloist in countless ensembles in Sweden and internationally. Bent is an indefatigable ambassador and globetrotter of the jazz tradition.
Anders Alm - alto saxophone & vocal
The alto saxophone is just one of many woodwind instruments that Anders plays. The gigantic bass saxophone is however not in his collection nowadays. He keeps his clarinet in shape by playing classical compositions. Apart from playing the alto saxophone in Mississippi Seven, Anders keeps track on an impressive amount of song texts that he sings not only in English but also in Swedish, German and (we guess) in Polish. In addition to Mississippi Seven he is often a sought after substitute in various bands. And he has had the pleasure of performing with trumpet players Wild Bill Davison and Buck Clayton.
Hans Brandgård - trombone & vocal
Hans has been playing traditional jazz since his early years, varying from early New Orleans style to swing. His trombone, a King 2B+, has been his favourite since 1993. Some of the musicians "Hasse" have as role models are trombonists Miff Mole, J C Higginbotham and Roy Williams, and also Jabbo Smith, Red Nichols, Coleman Hawkins and Louis Armstrong. In addition to Mississippi Seven Hasse plays with The Ragamuffins and Imperial Band and previously with Svensk Ramelorkester, Doc's Gang, The Royal Blue Melodians and High Society. He is an appreciated vocalist (sometimes in crooner style)
Bertil Ekman - drums & vocal
Drummer Bertil is a lover of small band swing and especially when they are nicely arranged. He also plays in temporary constellations and some banquet bands. Enjoys botanising through the hide aways of older jazz in order to find melodical popular songs well worth being revived. During Mississippi Seven's gigs Bertil often presents highly (un)likely facts or tales about melodies, composers and musicians. Or tells a good joke -- or so he thinks. He is no stranger to singing a song or two and if his confidence boosts we might hear him sing "J'attendrai" in different languages. When not playing jazz Bertil enjoys art works, novels and exciting short stories.
Per Larsson - piano
He is one of the most sought-after pianists in the traditional jazz style. Pelle, as most people call him, plays the black and white keys with just the right touch. He has the rare ability to color the chords and enrich every melody with fine solos, where elegance has become something of his hallmark. Swing music from the 1930s, with role models such as Teddy Wilson and Fats Waller, is especially close to Pelle’s heart.
Boa Carlman - banjo and tenor guitar
Boa (named Claes-Göran) started playing skiffle in the 1950s and later on jazz from time to time, something he took up again in the 21th century. In the meantime Boa focused on curling where he competed both in Sweden and in a number of other countries. He and his team has won the Swedish Championship four times and won Word Championships in 1973. After putting his stones, brush and curling shoes away he managed a construction company until his old interest in jazz re-emerged. In addition to Mississippi Seven Boa is a member of (among others) Old Boy Stompers where he plays both his tenor banjo and the Levin manufactured tenor guitar from 1936.
Bo Henry Juhlin - sousaphone
His instrument, the sousaphone, is like the sun: big, yellow, and round. Unfortunately, it isn’t made of gold, which otherwise would have been a nice pension insurance for the band. Unlike a tuba, the bell of the sousaphone points forward. This inventive construction was designed by the American composer and conductor John Philip Sousa to allow it to be used in marching bands. It makes the sound follow the band instead of rising up into the sky. “Julle” now and then also plays trombone, string bass, and accordion, bringing joy to any occasion.
CONTACT
"Their music makes me glad" "A perfect nostalgia trip" "Nice dance songs" "Good swing and singing" "The best in a long time"
+46 (0)70 399 78 05 Copyright Mississippi Seven 2018