is one of the most prominent names on the European contemporary music scene, held in the highest esteem by music lovers around the world. In over three decades-long career he has recorded a great number of albums with myriads of different groups, has developed an idiosyncratic way of playing the saxophone and established himself as a saxophonist of wide artistic horizons.
Gustafsson constantly emphasises the never-ending process of shaping his own sound, in which many different experiences and influences converge. He draws inspiration not only from the coryphées of free jazz, but also from classical, folk, electronic, rock and contemporary academic music. In his creative path, he maintains a respectful relationship with the musical traditions of the past, while enthusiastically diving into the wide contemporary experimental waters.
Gustafsson does not try to imitate classical genre traditions or follow new trends. On the contrary, he weaves a unique musical tapestry of his own, whose patterns are the distinct signature of the weaver.
The uniqueness and versatility of this artist is attested not only by his concert geography and appearances at prestigious festivals (Moldejazz, Roadburn, Unsound, Sonore, FAQ, A L’ARME!, Sonic City, etc.), but also by his impressive discography of more than half a thousand different records. It includes not only outstanding solo recordings, but also collaborative albums with stars of the stature of Peter Brötzmann, Joe McPhee, Ken Vandermarkt, Mette Rasmussen, Colin Stetson and Jim O’Rourke, Craig Taborn, Agusti Fernandez, Misha Mengelberg, Derek Bailey, Barry Guy, Hamid Drake, Brian Chippendale, Merzbow, bands like Sonic Youth, The Ex and ZU.
The improviser writes music for solo saxophone, live electronics, ensembles and orchestras, sound installations, collaborates with contemporary dancers and visual artists, theatre companies and people of letters. In addition, he acts as a curator of the Swedish Concert Institute projects, an adviser for various festivals; has greatly contributed to the reestablishment of the Association of Free Improvised Music in Sweden.
He has enjoyed commissions by the Swedish Concert Institute, the Swedish National Radio, Umeå-based Norrlands Operans Symfoniorkester, Klangforum Wien and various other festivals and institutions. His compositions were performed by Copenhagen Art Ensemble, Trondheim Improvisers Ensemble and Trondheim Voices, Peter Brötzmann Tentet and Thurston Moore Sonic Youth among other groups.
His name is associated with more than 20 formations. One of the most notable is the trio The Thing, as well as Fire! Orchestra, which has appeared in the Vilnius Jazz.
Gustafsson was born in Umeå, Northern Sweden. His first instrument was the flute, but by his early teens Gustafsson was playing saxophone and his creation, the fluteophone – a sort of hybrid of flute and saxophone. He started with playing in punk and jazz-rock groups. In 1982, he got interested in improvised music and began collaborating with drummer Kjell Nordeson, who would later form the AALY Trio with Gustafsson.
Gustafsson moved to Stockholm in the mid-‘80s and formed Gush Trio with Sten Sandell and Raymond Strid. Later he met German drummer Paul Lovens, who became Gustafsson’s partner in various NU formations.
His international recognition was prompted by collaboration with Berlin-based Sven-Åke Johansson as well as Derek Bailey’s Company in London. At that time, he joined the Peter Brötzmann Tentet, becoming a regular in the Chicago improvising community, working extensively with Hamid Drake and Ken Vandermark, among others.
In 2000, together with Thurston Moore and Jim O’Rourke he formed Diskaholics Anonymous Trio, started collaborating with Sonic Youth rock group, joined Barry Guy’s New Orchestra and continued working with The Thing.
Gustafsson has received the Swedish Royal Academy of Music Grand Prix of Jazz (2004), Expressen’s Spelmannen Prize (2004) and the prestigious Nordic Council Music Prize (2011). He was repeatedly voted the best jazz artist of the year in Sweden.
