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Ulf Wakenius-International Guitar Star.
Born: April 16t, 1958 in Halmstad, Sweden.
He began playing guitar at an age of 11.After picking up the guitar Ulf never
looked back.John McLaughlin became Ulfs first guitar hero.
John later wrote the liner notes for one of Ulf,s solo albums.
"His approach to the guitar can only be admired, which he plays like he was born with it already in his hands"
Between 1997 and 2007 Ulf held what may have been the most prestigious spot in jazz for a guitarist:
a chair in the Oscar Peterson Quartet.This was the coronation of a career which included many
record-breaking moments.
Wakenius guitar duo Guitars Unlimited rocked Scandinavia in the early
80s, culminating in the 1985 Melody Grand Prix, which was seen by 600 million viewers, probably the
largest audience a jazz guitar duo ever had.
Shortly after that Wakenius started a extremely successful and long-lasting collaboration with the
legendary bass player Niels-Henning Örsted Pedersen.( NHOP), and both of his duo albums with bass icon
Ray Brown, topped the US Jazz Charts.
He has also performed and recorded with greats like:
Pat Metheny, Herbie Hancock, Mike Brecker, Jack DeJohnette, Joe Henderson,Phil Woods,
Ray Brown, NHOP, Jim Hall, Milt Jackson, Max Roach, Johnny Griffin, Dave Liebman, Chris Potter, Steve Colman, Bob Berg, Peter Erskine, Kenny Kirkland, Randy Brecker, Benny Golson, Art farmer, Roy Hargrove, Jon Faddis, Christian Mcbride, Michel Legrand, Toots
Thielemans, Jimmy Heath, Hank Jones, Benny Green, Buster Williams, Larry Coryell,
Bobby Hutcherson, Kenny Drew, Monty Alexander , Svend Asmussen, Albert Mangelsdorff,
Dennis Chambers, Jeff Hamilton, Jon Christensen, Flora Purim, Airto Moreira, Curtis Stigers,
Alvin Queen, Steve Swallow, Joey DeFrancesco, Philip Catherine, Martin Taylor, Sivuca.
He counts Pat Metheny, John Scofield and John McLaughlin as serious admirers.
Great Rhythmic feel combines with a extraordinary lyrical touch-
his emphasis is always on melodies and groove.
He has been filmed by Clint Eastwood and are now participating in the new movie "Play"
by the Oscar nominated Swedish director Ruben Östlund.
His next release on ACT will be, "Ulf Wakenius Signature Series"
Feat, Jack DeJohnette,Randy Brecker,Bill Evans,Nils Landgren,Till Brönner,Youn Sun Nah a.o.
"Swedish Guitar Genius"-Downbeat
"Superb European artist"-Los Angeles Times
" With the Signature Edition 2(ACT), Wakenius is positioned as one of contemporary jazzs most imaginative
intepreters" All About Jazz
"Wakenius gives the melodies a clarity sometimes obscured in the original versions.Lovely!"-BBC
"Ulf Wakenius played gorgeus liquid solos at Carnegie Hall"-New York Times
Quotes:
" His lyrical virtuosity and harmonic dexterity are
things of musical beauty, and in this album they are displayed to their fullest extent.
I close only by saying thank you for being here,Ulf, and with your playing, extending the tasteful and talented history of jazz guitar.
May you reign forever." Your co-player and friend, Oscar Peterson.
" You sound really great!"-Pat Metheny.
"Amazing talent!"-Ray Brown
"You sound fantastic!"-Quincy Jones
"Humungus chops"-Pat Martino
The beginning
Ulf Wakenius was born in Halmstad, Sweden on April 16, 1958. He began playing the guitar at the age of 11, inspired by other guitarists in the neighbourhood of his new hometown, Gothenburg.
After picking up the guitar Ulf never looked back. In the beginning he was inspired by virtuoso electric blues guitar players but soon moved to more jazz-orientated music. John McLaughlin became Ulf's new guitar hero. (John later wrote liner notes for one of Ulf's solo-albums).
At the age of 17 Ulf was already established as a jazz musician playing with different Swedish groups. During the following years he toured all over Europe. In the beginning of the '80s Ulf founded the duo "Guitars Unlimited" together with Peter Almqvist. They toured in many parts of the world and appeared frequently on Swedish Television. The highlight in their career was a performance in the 1985 Melody Grand Prix, a historic event which was seen by 600 million viewers, (probably the the largest audience a jazz-guitar duo has
ever had).
In the mid-'80s Ulf also received the opportunity to record a solo album in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. He was fortunate to be able to gather together such fantastic musicians as Sivuca, Luizao, Paolo Braga (Elis Regina), Nico Assumpcao (Milton Nascimento) among others. The record became a hit in Sweden with considerable airplay. The "Brazil venture" was the beginning of a life-long love of the Brazilian culture.
In the late '80s Ulf began playing with the late great Danish bass giant Niels-Henning rstedt-Pedersen. Their collaboration was very fruitful, resulting in concerts , several recordings, playing for the then-President of the United States, Bill Clinton.
In the beginning of the '90s Ulf started to work in different projects together with American and European top musicians. The group Grafitti was formed with the rhythm section from the John Scofield group, the members being the phantom drummer Dennis Chambers (now with Santana), bassist Gary Grainger, Hkon Graf boards and Ulf on guitar. They toured in the United States and Europe and recorded a CD which was very well received. He also started a collaboration with the bass icon Ray Brown. Ulf has 10 solo albums to his name and has recorded several albums as a sideman together with many jazz legends.
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