Birth

:

November 7, 1934 in Falun, Sweden

Genre

:

Symphony

 

Jan Allan is a renowned Swedish jazz trumpeter, composer, and arranger. He was born on May 19, 1939, in Arvika, Sweden. Allan grew up in a musical family, and his father was a trumpet player. He started playing the trumpet at the age of 12 and was soon performing in local bands. Allan studied at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm, where he received a degree in trumpet performance. He also studied composition and arranging with the famous Swedish composer Lars Johan Werle. After completing his studies, Allan began his professional career as a freelance musician, playing with various jazz bands and orchestras. In the 1960s, Allan became a member of the Swedish Radio Jazz Group, which was led by the pianist and composer Bengt Hallberg. The group was one of the most important jazz ensembles in Sweden at the time, and Allan's contributions as a soloist and arranger helped to establish his reputation as a top jazz musician. Allan's career continued to flourish in the 1970s, and he became a sought-after performer and recording artist. He recorded several albums as a leader, including "Jan Allan Plays," "Jan Allan Quintet," and "Jan Allan and Friends." He also collaborated with other jazz musicians, such as the saxophonist Bernt Rosengren and the pianist Bobo Stenson. One of the highlights of Allan's career was his performance at the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1978. He was invited to perform with the American jazz pianist Bill Evans, and their collaboration was a huge success. The performance was recorded and released as an album titled "We Will Meet Again." Allan's talent as a composer and arranger was also recognized during this time. He wrote music for several films and television shows, including the Swedish TV series "Mannen som slutade röka" (The Man Who Quit Smoking). He also composed music for the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra and the Stockholm Jazz Orchestra. In the 1980s, Allan continued to perform and record, but he also began to focus more on teaching and mentoring young musicians. He taught at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm and was a guest lecturer at several other music schools in Sweden and abroad. Allan's contributions to the Swedish jazz scene were recognized in 1991 when he was awarded the Jazzkatten, the Swedish Jazz Federation's highest honor. He was also awarded the Royal Swedish Academy of Music's Jazz Prize in 2002. Allan's career has spanned over six decades, and he continues to perform and record to this day. He has released over 30 albums as a leader and has collaborated with some of the most important jazz musicians of his time. His contributions to the Swedish jazz scene have been invaluable, and he remains a beloved and respected figure in the world of jazz.

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