Tomas Janzon
“Tomas Janzon brings light and air into the mainstream canon. His sensitivity and his astonishing emotional charisma make every piece a celebration”, wrote Alexander Schmitz repeatedly about Tomas Janzon, the Swedish-transatlantic guitarist.
Tomas Janzon makes every piece a celebration
Tomas Janzon, whose musical CV includes instruments such as recorder and cello from an early age, including orchestral experience of various styles, performs, composes and teaches worldwide in master classes as well as at universities for jazz studies and studio guitar.
Tomas Janzon belongs to the extra class in the world of jazz guitar, as the international critics emphasize. Born in Stockholm, the multi-award-winning guitarist toured with various formations, including Berit Andersson and Anita Strandell, before moving to Los Angeles in 1991 to work with Joe Diorio. Since 2010, Tomas Janzon has lived and worked in New York, where he formed the legendary Tomas Janzon Trio together with Essiet Okon Essiet and Will Terrill.
His numerous publications include:
Coast to Coast to Coast: a composition/recording project from 3 cities: New York, Stockholm, and Los Angeles was released in 2007, featuring Ben Dixon, Ken Filiano, Birger Thorelli, Lars Ekman, Ali Djeridi, Jeff Littleton, Tony Austin and William Henderson.
Experiences (CM 113, Naxos Sweden) with Art Hillery, Jeff Littleton and Albert “Tootie” Heath was released in New York City on September 6, 2010. The album includes a photo collage reflecting the move from LA to New York.
130th & Lenox (CM 114): the 2019 recording project focusing on Tomas’ location in New York began in Los Angeles in 2017 with Nedra Wheeler and Donald Dean and was completed at Acoustic Recording in New York with Steve Nelson, Hilliard Greene and Chuck McPherson.
After 2018, Tomas Janzon will be touring Europe in 2025 with his second TRIO Generation and last year’s album NOMADIC. He has brought the drumming legend Donald Dean on board. Donald Dean has played with all the greats of jazz and blues: Ray Charles, Eddie Harris, Les McCann, Dexter Gordon, Roy Eldridge and Jimmy Smith. The trio is completed by Rubem Farias, who lives in Stockholm and is one of Brazil’s leading bassists.