I still can't listen to Esbjörn without crying. This is one of his greatest compositions. It's been twelve years+ since that dreadful accident. When they said on the radio news he had passed, I quit work and drove straight to the site, a popular place for scuba diving, close to Stockholm. This was June 21, the day after he died. I was expecting to find hoards of grieving fans there. To my disbelief, there was only a small group of divers, maybe three or four of them, climbing out of the water onto the rock. It was just myself and the divers there. I felt an urge to shout at them. "What are you doing? You can't just keep on like nothing happened here. Esbjörn died here yesterday and you people just carry on like that...." I said nothing, but went back to my car. On the way back, I passed by the local chapel, Ingarö Kyrka. The parking lot was full of cars, so I decided to go inside to parttake in whatever ceremony was going on there. As I opened the door of the chapel, it dawned on me it was completely deserted, apart from a priest, busy with some papers, who looked up as I stepped inside. Both of us were quite surprised I guess. I finally spoke and asked to stay, because I felt a need to contemplate. The priest, was kind enough to let me sit there, while he finished whatever he was doing. Then I drove home, devastated. Still am, in a way. I never told this story to anyone. No one I knew back then, or even now, could understand the grief I felt that day. To my recollection, Esbjörn's son, who was about 16 at the time, was scuba diving together with his father when the accident happened. This too has made things even worse for me, thinking about a young person, about to become an adult, who has to experience losing his father like that. Anyway, finally sharing this memory, may perhaps ease the pain, in some strange sense. You good people, who know the genius of Esbjörn Svensson, and who appreciate the magnitude of the loss we have suffered by his early demise, will understand what I'm talking about. Hopefully one day, it will be possible for me to hear his music again, without feeling sad. edit: Revisiting this post some eight months down the line. Indeed, time heals, sharing emotions heals, the sense of being part of a community... As Stewart Copeland puts it "It's only music" and yet it's everything you can imagine and more.
Esbjörn dog på tal för tidigt. Känns nästan som det är en förbannelse över våra svenska jazzunder. Först Jan Johansson och sedan Esbjörn Svensson. Det känns extra sorligt när de båda dog på så oskyldiga sätt. Det är inte som i USA där jazzmusikerna knarka ihjäl sig.
Dear Pontus. I have just one week of knowing the work of EST. I thought in my 50 years of listening music I already had listened enough of the best music created in every genre, from Bach to the Beatles, from Beethoven to Pat Metheny or from Mozart to the King Crimson. And now, discovering the music os EST, my live begins from now to eternity. Thanks for sharing your invaluable memories.
On a perdu un Monument Quel vide cela nous laisse Mais il a laissé sa trace dans l histoire Comme les Mozart Brahms et autres Gabriel Fauré il est a jamais inoubliable
The best thing about Esbjorn was not the way he could play but the fact he was a great jazz composer. Most jazzmen just play standards or cover other people's work. He was different. Miss him so much.
That is completely true, and I’m glad you pointed that out. A jazz musician that can improvise AND compose a catalogue of all completely original pieces that are standards in their own right is insane.
Ich war selbst auf diesem Konzert in Salzau im Jahre 2003. Noch immer ein unvergessenes Erlebnis. Das Esbjörn Svensson Trio und Pat harmonierten hier geradezu perfekt. Schade das es nie eine gemeinsame Aufnahme (CD) von den beiden gegeben hat. Das wäre sicherlich ein großer Wurf geworden. RIP Björn!
What a bass monster is pat I would give part of my soul for a new est album I miss them I know every note from the albums they made I listen them live half year before that tragic accident ...😢
In the year of 2000 my biggest dream was probably to see Pat and Esbjorn play together. It wasn't until a couple of years ago, after his most tragic departure, that I realized this had happened for real! Search for their version of "This Masquerade" with Nils Landgren on vocals. Brilliant!
Looking and listening to this I see that life is precious. RIP Esbjøen Svensson, thank you for the music. Good health and long happy lives to everybody.
Shortly after the death of Esbjorn I wrote an email to his manager, he had answered me and said that in addition to being a very great musician Esbjorn was a very big gentleman, it is very sad.
i love it when musicians can (and are aware of) explain the atmosphere. and are able to pull stuff out of the playground of musical potential....bringing out the atmosphere- i love EST and Pat Metheny individually for that reason! and them together! thumbs up all the way
Esbjörn is in heaven if he accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Jesus is the only way to Heaven. knock and he will open, ask and you will recive the truth. Repent and be born again. Jesus coming soon.
I think musicians like Avishai Cohen, Shai Maestro among other great contemporarys draw alot of inspiration from this trio. I might be wrong but thats the impression I get. A colleague and friend of mine lately told me he was at the scene when Esbjorn died. He didnt know at the time who Esbjorn was but the description of the event was shocking and heartbreaking to hear.
When I fist heard E.S.T. I thought it was Pat Metheny with Lyle Mays? As one of PMG biggest fans, I have to say I agree with this. No... So hart felt sorry to hear about Esborn. Rest in the greatest peace and know you contributed your music to share with all of us. Doesn't Pat just now where to lay it down? Love you too Pat, my brother of influince! loved what you did hear as you do anywhere.
An amazing piece - I really love this! I'm a huge Pat Metheny fan: this is my first encounter with the EST. So sad such a talent as Esbjorn Svensson is no longer with us!
Oh my I can't believe that Pat Played w/ EST -Leucocyte is one the best instrumental albums of all time - and the best par tis I still haven't listened to any of their other CDs- but I will before the year is over.
I love Pat's face every now and then when he hears "strange" chords and realizes a second later that it is just the notes on his sheet, they just sound different... - which is the root of the E.S.T. mystery... - it is all well known but it sounds VERY different... ;-)
