Stefan Karlsson Smilin‘ Eyes (2011) Stefan Karlsson

Stefan Karlsson was born and raised in Vastervik, in the University of North Texas’ studies divi- Sweden. After high school he moved to the United sion. Stefan stays active playing at festivals, clubs States on a scholarship to study at the University and conferences worldwide as leader and sideman. of North Texas. He graduated in 1991 with a Mas- His discography includes 63 recordings with eight ter’s Degree in jazz studies. CD’s as leader. In 1990, Stefan signed a three-CD recording con- Since 1996, Stefan has been a member of the Ed- tract with Justice Records Houston, Texas. His die Gomez Trio and Quartet (including Jimmy Cobb, latter two recordings were a great success on the Nasheet Waitts, Billy Hart, Duduka da Fonseca, national jazz radio charts, GAVIN and R&R, with a and Jeremy Steig) frequently touring Japan, Eu- !rst place, on both charts, for his second release rope and the United States. He has also recorded “The Road Not Taken.” Stefan’s fourth release, and performed with artists such as Jesse Davis, “Live at Vartan Jazz,” was recorded in 1997 by Var- Herb Ellis, Jim Ferguson, Carl Fontana, Tim Hagans, tan Jazz Records in Denver, Colorado. The album is Steve Houghton, Clay Jenkins, Marc Johnson, Rich a live recording and features bassist Eddie Gomez Matteson, , , Rich Perry, and drummer Eliot Zigmund. Chris Potter, , Marvin “Smitty” Smith, Ed Further, in 1993, he signed an exclusive publish- Soph, , Harvie S, Mark Walker, Tom ing agreement with Equity Music Corporation, Hol- Warrington, Jiggs Wigham, Eliot Zigmund, and oth- lywood, . His music was featured in the ers. In addition, Stefan has performed as an accom- 1994 movie releases “Sugar Hill” (featuring Wesley panist for vocalists Patti Austin with the Dallas Snipes), “Twenty Bucks” (featuring Christopher Symphony Orchestra (Morton Myerson Symphony Loyd), and the 1997 Independent !lm “Strays.” Hall,) and with Monica Mancini with the Fort Worth Over the years, his music has also been featured Symphony Orchestra (Bass Symphony Hall.) on the television series “Melrose Place,” “Party of Stefan has had the opportunity to travel the globe Five,” “Wings” and “Homicide.” performing in concert halls, festivals, clubs, and After having resided in Denver, Colorado (1991- doing clinics at conferences and universities. Inter- 1994) and in Las Vegas, Nevada (1994-2002), nationally, his travels have taken him throughout ful!lling his duties as Coordinator of Jazz Studies Japan, Scotland, Italy, Spain, France, Sweden, Fin- at UNLV, Stefan is currently a professor of music 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

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

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 01. Trikings 08. Footprints Stefan Karlsson by Sher Music Co. 02. I Thought About You 09. Darn That Dream Jimmy Van Heusen / Johnny Mercer Jimmy Van Heusen / Eddie DeLange Smilin’ Eyes is a masterpiece that consolidates Stefan Karlsson as one of 03. All The Things You Are 10. It Could Happen To You Jerome Kern / Oscar Hammerstein II Jimmy Van Heusen / Johnny Burke the strongest pianist of the international jazz scene. 04. Old Folks Willard Robison / Dedette Lee Hill Stefan Karlsson, piano 05. How Deep Is The Ocean Irving Berlin 06. Smilin’ Eyes Stefan Karlsson 07. My One And Only Love Guy Wood / Robert Mellin Stefan Karlsson

Selected discography

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 SIDEMAN With 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) Booking & Management: bebyne management “Cosmic Soul”. Phil Wigfall (2000) [email protected] . www.bebyne.com “Down-Home”. Herb Ellis (1996) “Fred Wayne Orchestra”(1996) “Life is A Take”. Red Mitchell & Rich Matteson (1987) “Serendipity”. Scott Whit!eld (1986) Distribution: Absolute Distribution [email protected] . www.absolutedistribution.com © 2011 bebyne records

For further information, please contact: Bebyne Productions, S.L. P.O. Box 6.024, 08080 Barcelona, Spain [email protected] www.bebyne.com