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Anders Nilsson

Guitarist and composer Anders Nilsson moved from his native Sweden to New York in 2000. Since then he has performed, recorded and/or toured with Anders Nilsson's AORTA, Mohsen Namjoo, Fay Victor, Ken Filiano, Elliot Sharp, Sabir Mateen, Satoshi Takeishi, David Ambrosio, Michael Attias, Gordon Beeferman, Gerald Cleaver, Raoul Björkenheim, and has composed music for string quartet, film, dance and theatre. Current bands: Anders Nilsson Group, The Why, Afro Polka, Fackpamp, Mohsen Namjoo...

Jason Kao Hwang: Myths of Origin

Read "Myths of Origin" reviewed by Jerome Wilson

by Jerome Wilson
August 20, 2025

Violinist and composer Jason Kao Hwang has worked with groups of every size, from duos up to full orchestras. “Myths of Origin" is one of his large-scale pieces, an imposing 42-minute work for an improvising string orchestra and drum set. It runs without interruption, but the recording breaks it down into nine sections. The music starts slowly, rising in a mass of seething bowed strings with a slight trace of Asian melody. It progresses into a dense cloud ...

Album Review

Anders Nilsson / Joe Fonda / Peter Nilsson: Powers

Read "Powers" reviewed by Eyal Hareuveni

by Eyal Hareuveni
March 19, 2013

This collective trio teams American bass master Joe Fonda, known for his collaborations with innovative musicians and composers such as saxophonist Anthony Braxton, trumpeter Wadada Leo Smith and pianist Carla Bley, with Swedish brothers a generation younger than Fonda-- guitarist Anders Nilsson, based in New York since 2000, and drummer Peter Nilsson, based in Malmö, Sweden. The Nilsson brothers have been playing together since they were kids and recently collaborated in Anders Nilsson's Aorta (Kopasetic, 2009). Both lead their own ...

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Album Review

Anders Nilsson's Aorta: Janus

Read "Janus" reviewed by Jochem van Dijk

by Jochem van Dijk
January 25, 2006

The late and lamented Derek Bailey has suggested that due to the current state of jazz--"a comfortable reminder of the good old days was one of his more sympathetic characterizations--a complete separation of jazz and improvised music is in effect.

Aorta's sophomore effort, Janus, makes a good case for the validity of Bailey's point. The Swedish band, centered around NY-based guitarist Anders Nilsson, immediately presents in the opening “Operation: Janus" the elements which make up its music, none of which ...

“Anders Nilsson, a guitarist-composer comfortable with everything from free improvisation to avant-garde metal, traverses ghostly mood-setting, bluesy twang and overdriven riffage” - Time Out, New York "Anders Nilsson's AORTA Ensemble features an exceptional ensemble with a clear and focused vision" -Eyal Harueveni All About Jazz. (on AORTA "Blood"): "This is one of the best electric jazz discs I've heard in a long while." (on Fulminate Trio) "All I can say is Wow! - Bruce Lee Gallanter/Downtown Music Gallery, NYC "Nilsson's shimmering axe evokes a dimensional warp." - Signal to Noise "Swedish-born guitarist Anders Nilsson plucks spidery figures and dissonant clusters that loom like an overcast sky." - Timeout Chicago "Sultry swagger" -Thurston Moore /Arthur Magazine

Primary Instrument

Guitar, electric

Credentials/Background

I teach and am currently accepting students! Over the years I have developed a successful and stimulating approach to studying the guitar and developing musical understanding. My message and method ultimately seeks for the student to develop a relationship with music wherein you will "be the note". In other words, the aim is beyond a mere riff or song every week, rather to gain insights and experiences that will last longer, be more rewarding and creatively engaging. Stylewise we may be speaking the common languages in use be it rock, blues, jazz, classical, metal, or beyond. As far as content goes I have a vast bank of material in all musical areas – technique, rhythm, melody, harmony, reading, ear training, improvisation and soloing that will be beneficial regardless of the student’s proficiency level. I have 15 years of professional teaching experience and have taught players from the very young up to seniors, individually and in groups, privately, in music schools, at music stores, public schools, and given master classes at universities. Holding two degrees: a BA in music pedagogy, and an MA in Jazz performance from City College, New York, NY. I am flexible with my method, will listen to you, and offer reasonable pricing