Anders Jormin was born 1957 in Jönköping, Sweden. After intense studies, he left Musikhögskolan in Göteborg with diplomas in double-bass and improvisation / pedagogy in 1979.
Today as a doublebass-player and composer, AJ is a frequent and highly respected performer on the international concert scene. As a musician in great demand, AJ has recorded and toured with many of the legends in jazz. Among others : Gilberto Gil, Lee Konitz, Elvin Jones, Joe Henderson, Don Cherry, Charles Lloyd, Mike Mainieri, Joe Lovano, and Jack deJohnette, as well as Kenny Wheeler, Albert Mangelsdorff, Tomasz Stanko, Dino Saluzzi, John Surman, John Taylor, Mark Feldman , Paul Motian, Joey Baron, Tom Rainey , Jon Balke, Vertavo string quartet , Ann-Sofi von Otter, Norma Winstone and Marilyn Crispell. For many years, AJ was also a front figure in one of Scandinavias foremost ensembles, Entra.
AJ today performs regularly all over Europe, USA/Canada, and Japan, but has also for shorter periods performed and studied ethnic music in Cuba and Mocambique. At the present AJ is a member of Bobo Stenson trio, and the unique swedish group dr Dingo. AJ is also constantly creating new projects of his own. AJ is an ECM recording artist
As a composer, AJ has a rich production for various ensembles in contemporary jazz/chamber music. Among his commissioned works are:
for I.S.C.M - Jord
for SAMI -Post scriptum
for Gothenburg int. Jazz Festival -Eight pieces
for Swedish Radio (SR) - Ytterligare åtta, Silvae
for Stockholm - 98 - Utkast
for Musik i Västernorrland - Rävjakten (for woodwind quintet/childrens choir)
for H.M. the queen of Norway - Skogar-hav
for Mats Bergström - Three angels
for the cathedral of Västerås,Sweden - Bortom
for Sundsvall Chamber Orchestra - Scores of winterlight
for Umeå Sinfonietta - Whitman intonations
In Sweden, AJ has been given several prizes and awards, such as the rare Jan Johanssson - award. His solobass recording Alone won Record of the year - all categories worldwide in 1991. He is three times winner of the swedish Grammy - award for best jazz recording.
On a part - time basis, AJ has for almost 25 years been a teacher of doublebass and improvisation at Musikhögskolan in Göteborg, where he has participated in building up a strong jazz department. AJ is also a lecturer much in demand at clinics, master-classes and workshops all over Europe. 1995 AJ was given a professorship at Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, Finland. 2002 he was given a professorship also at Musikhögskolan in Göteborg, Sweden. AJ is, as the first contemporary improviser ever, a member of the swedish Royal Academy of music and he was 2003 given the title doctor honoris causa, together with Esa-Pekka Salonen and Georg Sokolov, at Sibelius-academy,Finland.
AJ has recorded around 70 CD/ LP's. As a leader he has, so far, released nine albums featuring his compositions and arrangements.
The sound he gets, the fills he executes, his soloing ability in and out of
chord changes is amazing. For me he is one of the world's greatest bassists.
(Dave Liebman, Hunters and Gatherers)
Jormin is a treasure - everything a bassist should be
(Down beat, USA)
Formidable Jormin's mastery came through in his solointroductions. He is
one of the finest living jazzbassists, whose instrumental command and
intonation are so seamless, he makes it look easier than it is. He is a virtuoso,
but deep, natural musicality prevents him from grandstanding.
(Los Angeles Times)
On his CD Silvae:
Anders Jormin is, both as a composer and soloist, a magician of absolute
worldclass......What a constellation! This piece of art sounds fantastic! Brilliant
music.
(OJ, Sweden)
Anders Jormin who must be counted among the most interesting jazz
bassists in the world continues introducing us to his incredibly strong
compositions and studio groups ....... Silvae is Jormin's finest album to date,
clearly a bullseye!
(Soundi, Finland)
On his CD Xieyi
To enjoy Xieyi is to stay in a musical garden of zen
(Dagens nyheter,Sweden)
Jormin relies on a perfectly honed melodic sense and an impassioned, lyrical
approach to solo bass language that relies as much on folk and classical
influence as it does on jazz. His technique, though impressive, is never
allowed to grandstand and is completely at the service of the music (though
there are occasions when the listener is led to wonder exactly how many
hands he posseses). It's the warm, dark song of Jormin's bass thats at the
heart of this impressive and rewarding release.
(BBC Music, England)
A feat- nothing less
(Gramophone/Korea)
On his CD In winds, in light
Jormin's pure pursuit of musicality and art places substance far ahead of
style. This hour-long performance transcends definition- it is music to be
felt, to be experienced, and to be absorbed as a whole. Compelling,
provocative and evocative, with In winds, in light Jormin asserts that music
should not be about technical prowess, rather it is about taking extra-
ordinary ability and creating something deeply personal and spiritually
moving
(Allaboutjazz /USA)
You come to think of such major and important works as John Coltrane's A
Love Supreme or the Sacred concert's by Duke Ellington. With In winds, in
light, Anders Jormin brings another major piece that adds a european
dimension to this tradition.
(Der Bund/ Switzerland)
On his CD AVIAJA
While he possesses the kind of technical facility that makes most bassists
scratch their head in wonder, Jormin has always been more concerned with
making his instrument sing, and playing music that touches the heart in the
most personal of ways. Aviaja's intimacy is so personal that it almost feels
like intruding on a private conversation.... Aviaja remains vivid long after the
final song is over.