Nils Landgren – trombone, vocals
Born in 1956, Swedish trombonist Nils Landgren began his musical journey on drums before discovering his true calling at 13. Trained classically, he shifted to jazz, forging his distinctive improvisational style. By the late 1970s, Landgren was a sought-after session player. Since then, his genre-defying career has spanned jazz, rock, soul, and hip-hop, collaborating with icons like ABBA, Herbie Hancock, The Crusaders, and Joe Sample.
After early solo albums in Sweden, Landgren’s breakthrough came in 1994 when he joined ACT Records – now Europe’s leading indie jazz label. Over three decades, he has released 30 albums as a leader and contributed to 20 more as a sideman/producer.
Beyond performing, Landgren has shaped jazz as Artistic Director for Jazzfest Berlin (2001 – 2006) and Jazz Baltica (2012 to present), transforming the latter into a 19,000-strong event. His tenure with NDR Bigband (1998 – 2012) further validated his legacy as a visionary bandleader.
Landgren also holds honorary doctorates and professorships, embodying jazz’s global spirit. A virtuoso, innovator, and philanthropist, his influence resonates far beyond the stage.
Nils Landgren’s Funk Unit exploded onto the scene in 1994 after a legendary Jazz Baltica performance, captured on their breakout album Live in Stockholm. The 1997 follow-up Paint It Blue earned Germany’s Jazz Award, cementing their status as Europe’s premier funk act through 100+ tour dates. The band’s golden era (1999 – 2004) saw electrifying releases like Fonk da World and the platinum-selling Funky ABBA, hailed by critics as “the best funk band in Europe” (Stereo). Their 2007 comeback Licence to Funk featured Ray Parker Jr.
Celebrating three decades of unstoppable groove, Nils Landgren’s legendary Funk Unit triumphantly returned in 2024 with RAW – a scorching anniversary release showcasing Sweden’s elite instrumentalists. The trombonist’s signature project assembled an all-star lineup featuring Magnum Coltrane Price (bass), Andy Pfeiler (guitar), Jonas Wall (tenor sax), Petter Bergander (keys), and Robert Ikiz (drums), delivering their most potent studio statement in years.