One of the smoothest and most elegant trios of the last decades is definitely E.S.T Led by Swedish Pianist Esbjoern Svensson with Dan Berglund on Bass and Magnus Ostrom on Drums, they have been labeled the next jazz phenomenon by many established magazines, and they have surely taken the jazz trio band to a new popularity level. Their 10th studio album “Tuesday Wonderland” has been released in March and what a great release it is.

E.S.T’s popularity comes from their break from the traditional jazz trio and integrating pop music into their improvisational style very fluently. That’s why they have got a whole young generation liking their music and their clips are on MTV. However that shouldn’t make you think they’re doing some kind of popular jazz music, they’re no doubt extremely talented jazz players who can play powerful and emotional music, with some rock-ish undertones.

I’m terribly in love with Esbjoern’s piano, his playing is charming to say the least and let’s not forget the sound engineer Åke Linton who has perfected the bands playing. I think this is entitled to be my favourite trio album this year and it’s surpassed barely by my favourite Fahir Atakoglu Trio, who is originally a classical composer gone jazz so that may be the reason for my liking. Terrific album and here’s a 3rd track from 2002’s “Strange Place for snow” which displays their powerful playing.

Esbjörn Svensson Trio – Brewery of Beggars
Esbjörn Svensson Trio – Tuesday Wonderland