Cornelis Vreeswijk in Big Band Attire - Fredrikstad Big Band with Alexander Hermansen

Cornelis Vreeswijk (1937-1987) is considered one of Sweden's greatest troubadours. As a renewer of the Swedish ballad tradition, he collaborated closely with central Swedish jazz musicians such as Jan Johansson, Georg Riedel and Georg "Jojje" Wadenius. Vreeswijk's songs are therefore very well suited to the big band format. Fredrikstad Big Band, with vocalist Alexander Hermansen, will present Vreeswijk's songs in arrangements specially written for the band by Hans Mathisen, David Hveem and Jarle G. Storløkken. Alexander Hermansen is an experienced and versatile vocalist and entertainer. Among many activities, he has toured for over two decades with various performances and concerts dedicated to Vreeswijk's rich song catalog. Alexander has also been a guide and ballad singer on his own music trips in Vreeswijk's footsteps in Stockholm. Fredrikstad Big Band was established in 1981 and this year celebrates a full 45 years as Fredrikstad's city orchestra for jazz. The band has its musical roots deeply planted in traditions created by legends such as Basie, Ellington and Miller, but has also built up a musical range from church concerts through pure jazz concerts to more show-oriented productions. They have performed in, among other places, St. Petersburg, New Orleans, New York, Greece, Spain and Cuba. The musical director is Ole-Henrik Mohn Pettersen. It will be an evening of well-known Vreeswijk classics and rich big band sound tied together with entertaining stories from Vreeswijk's turbulent life.