It is all of fourteen years since Nils Landgren – the risen star of the trombone, charismatic singer and established luminary of the European jazz scene – first gathered together his closest companions in a studio to make a ‘Christmas With My Friends’ album and then take the group on tour with him. The project was successful right from the start: the German magazine Stern hailed the first album as “the most beautiful Christmas CD ever.” So, from that point on, there was no looking back and never the slightest doubt that Landgren and his friends would go on to repeat this special way of celebrating Christmas: they have continued to do so every other year.

Legions of fans have welcomed the albums and tour concerts into their own ways of celebrating Christmas. In fact, ‘Christmas With My Friends’ has now established itself as nothing less than a Christmas tradition in its own right.

There is a very appealing variety here but every single piece also brings out the talent of this unique cohort of musicians. Landgren’s trombone has an inimitable lightness and variety, Norberg’s guitar tone has folk resonances, the saxophone of Jonas Knutssons is imbued with wonderful lyricism and the sound of Eva Kruse’s bass is warm and full. But above all the magic comes from the fact that the singers have voices that are so distinctive and yet so perfectly complementary: the classical vocals of Jeanette Köhn, the bittersweet soul of Ida Sand, the radiant clarity of Jessica Pilnäs, the dark, powerful blues of Sharon Dyall and – last but not least – the bright white soul singing of Nils Landgren herself. “Each of us has our own way of interpreting,” says Landgren of this, “and the personality of each one of us shines through on the album. Mine too – yes I have indulged myself… and every song here really does have a special meaning for us – and maybe for you too.”