Gustaf Ljunggren

“The music forces the listener to be present and pay attention, in return offering harmony, peace and solace.” (JazzPress)
“…I just think it is possibly the most graceful collection of instrumental tracks I’ve ever heard.” (ProgRadar)
“Gustaf Ljunggren have created such a gentle masterpiece (Floreana)…” (Part Time Audiophile)
“a Scandinavian romantic’s music, both folk and baroque.” (Jazzwise)
“The character of the music is infused with love and life… …A breath of fresh air indeed. Sublime.” (UK Vibe)

Gustaf Ljunggren is a musician and composer from Sweden.
He is known for being a true multi-instrumentalist, playing guitars, woodwinds, strings, piano and keyboards, mandolin, banjo and more. Gustaf lives in Copenhagen, where he runs a private recording studio which is the base for his composing and recording activities. He grew up south of Stockholm in a musical family, spending his childhood and youth singing in choirs and absorbing the beauty of the inner Stockholm archipelago.

His music often has a contemplative mood, and his richly melodic compositions seem to find ways to give access to hidden or forgotten spaces in the listener’s mind. A good example of Gustaf Ljunggren’s music is “Floreana” (2022) which is a collaboration with the Icelandic musician Skúli Sverrisson.

Gustaf Ljunggren is a widely appreciated music profile in his adapted home country of Denmark, and has been a prolific performer in concert venues and clubs, at festivals and TV shows for years, as well as appearing on hundreds of recordings as a musician, producer or arranger.

Gustaf appears to be drawn to musical settings that feeds off elements of adventure, risk or intimacy. He utilises his bold and seemingly all-encompassing capacities in fields of radically different musical expressions and traditions.

Gustaf Ljunggren collaborates with artists, producers and composers, writers and comedians from across a broad cultural landscape - an artistic practice that reminds of no other’s. He has performed or recorded with Danish cultural icons like CV Jørgensen, Anders Matthesen and Benny Andersen, singers like Eddi Reader, Sofia Karlsson and Robyn as well as occasional performances with Bill Laswell, Daniel Lanois, Nick Lowe, Jenny Wilson, Joe Henry, Mikis Theodorakis and the Danish Radio Girls’ Choir.

Selected discography

As a leader/ co-leader:
“Fractions and Pastures” (2010)
“Gustaf Ljunggren/ Emil de Waal” (2018)
“Floreana” (2022) Gustaf Ljunggren with Skúli Sverrisson
“Stockholm København” (2023) Gustaf Ljunggren/ Emil de Waal

As musician/ producer/ arranger:
“Så Live som muligt” CV Jørgensen (2003)
“Mélange Bleu” Lars Danielsson (2006)
“Söder om kärleken” Sofia Karlsson (2009)
“Hyldest til holdbarheden” Benny Andersen (2009)
“All the Way Home” Cathy Jordan (2012)
“Before” Boo Hewerdine (2019)
“Light Is in the Horizon” Eddi Reader (2022)
“The Glass Age” Dan Whitehouse (2023)