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Anders Holst

Danish guitarist and composer Anders Holst (b. 1979), based in Copenhagen, has been an integral part of the music scene in Denmark for the last 20 years, working in the field of bridging composition with improvisation. He has performed all over Europe and US with his bands and as a soloist. Besides his work in his own name he is also a founding member of the groups Cirklen (six guitar ensemble, established 2009), Bog Bodies (with Robert Stillman and Sean Carpio, established 2010) and Ektoplasma (with Nils Gröndahl, established 2010). He has released albums on esteemed labels such as Morningside Records, Scissor Tail Records, Tompkins Square Records, Barkhausen Recordings, Blackout, Clang, Kornmod, MIC, Trestle Records, Migro Records and Flydende Rum.

Anders has a degree in jazz guitar from the Royal Conservatory in Holland, a degree in accompaniment for contemporary dance and ballet from the Danish National School of Performing Arts and a Soloist degree from Rhythmic Music Conservatory in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Bog Bodies: Bog Bodies

by Chris May
December 8, 2022

Formed in 2015, Bog Bodies is an international trio comprising tenor saxophonist Robert Stillman, guitarist Anders Holst and drummer Sean Carpio. The band moves freely between the composed and the improvised, the abstract and the figurative, and the acoustic and the electronic. Is it jazz? Is it La Monte Young-inspired drone? Is it noise? Is it Eivind Aarset-esque dreamscape? Take your pick(s). Recorded in 2019, Bog Bodies is the band's second album, following Sligo (Migro, 2017). Gritty ...

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Album Review

Anders Holst: Romantika

Read "Romantika" reviewed by Bridget A. Arnwine

by Bridget A. Arnwine
January 13, 2009

The Sting of Stockholm is back and this time he's singing about love. On Romantika, Anders Holst's follow-up to his debut, Five (Unheard of Music, 2005), the vocalist/composer sings about what can come with the experience of love: fulfillment, regret and longing. Along with Holst, longtime collaborator Mats Byström (who worked with Holst on Five) returns, once again stepping into his role as co-composer and producer. Together, the duo writes nine of the ten songs featured on Romantika, pairing simple ...

124

Album Review

Anders Holst: Five

Read "Five" reviewed by Bridget A. Arnwine

by Bridget A. Arnwine
October 5, 2005

Swedish-born musician Anders Holst delivers a unique combination of smooth instrumentals and heartfelt lyrics on Five. Holst, who cowrote and coproduced four of these five songs, has been dubbed the Sting of Stockholm, most likely for his comparable vocal delivery. But Holst also shares Sting's penchant for recruiting talented musicians of different musical backgrounds who are willing to give a bit of themselves in order to create a whole song.Holst features 22 musicians on Five--quite a few, considering ...

195

Performance / Tour

Anders Holst Shares Summer Love at Feinsteins on July 2nd

Source: GoMedia PR
May 28, 2009

Seductive, lush and emotive, the music of Anders Holst has drawn accolades from fellow musicians such as Quincy Jones, and has earned him such critical kudos as “Anders Holst is a regal contender to become the new crowned prince of contemporary romantic music...." (Billboard magazine) and “The Sting of Stockholm is back and this time he's singing about love. Holst sings like a man comfortable in his own skin." (All About Jazz)

On July 2, the Swedish-born, New York City-based ...
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194

Radio

Europe Invades "Smooth Jazz and More"!

Source: All About Jazz
April 24, 2009

Smooth Jazz and More has two new podcasts ready for our fans on our website, both involving two up and coming stars in the smooth jazz music scene.

The first is with singer/songwriter, Anders Holst. The native of Sweden has a new CD called, Romantika. His album, which has gotten great reviews, as well as high praise from legendary producer/composer, Quincy Jones; is soothing and pleasant to listen to.

The second is a long-time favorite of ours, saxophonist Konstantin Klashtorni. ...
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Recording

Anders Holst Five

Source: Two Sheps That Pass
September 5, 2008

Swedish-born musician Anders Holst delivers a unique combination of smooth instrumentals and heartfelt lyrics on Five. Holst, who co-wrote and co-produced four of these five songs, has been dubbed the Sting of Stockholm, most likely for his comparable vocal delivery. But Holst also shares Sting's penchant for recruiting talented musicians of different musical backgrounds who are willing to give a bit of themselves in order to create a whole song. Holst features 22 musicians on Five—quite a few, considering that ...
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“The album (Echoes Illuminating the Dark) is, all in all, a beautiful advocacy for intuition and improvisation” - Gaffa

“..I spoke of disliking guitars, unless, you see, they're used in the way Anders Holst uses his. But then, he is also a 'sound artist' & therein lies the world of difference, the cause for paying attention to & exploring an interest in textures & tones.” - Include Me Out

“There is a certain restrained and often sublime magic to Anders Holst’s guitar playing” - Downtown Music Gallery, NYC