Ellas Kapell - Ember (2026)

Since their formation in 2016 the Swedish jazz quartet collectively known as Ellas Kapel have sought their own unique sound. Their mantra has always to respect the jazz tradition while remaining true to their own Scandinavian roots.

As a result of this, the quartet have looked at self-development as the key to their own success, and over the last decade have constantly evolved both methods in arranging and recording the source material.

With Ember the band have eschewed the one take live in the studio approach to recording and have instead taken their time in preparing each of the chosen songs and doing so have utilised studio technology to shape the music.

The use of overdubs and editing and allowed Ellas Kapell to introduce new colours to the music with the addition of electronic keyboards and synthesizers, electric bass as well as acoustic instruments including alto saxophone and cornet.

A brave yet carefully considered move has seen the quartet successfully integrate not just these new electronic sounds but also new musicians in bringing in guests Johan Chrstoffersson, Tobia Wiklund and Gustave Alte to play on a couple of tracks, and may well be the key that provides the opportunities for further collaborations for Ellas Kapell going forward.

The repertoire and arrangements are, as always, the way in many listeners will judge and react to any new music, and acutely aware of this the quartet have picked a selection of well-known standards to present in their ever more individual and inimitable style.

Opening with bill Evans’s ‘Very Early was a shrewd move and sets the tone nicely for what is to follow, gently introducing us to the new sounds that find their way into what we perceive as a familiar composition. The use of synthesizers utilises a creative restraint and if the Kern/Hammerstein evergreen ‘All The Things You Are’ is given a rather ponderous reading order is quickly restored with a lovely ‘I Cover The Waterfront’ in which the purity of Lovisa Jennervall’s voice is a real treat, and delightfully effervescent and upbeat ‘How Deep Is The Ocean’ with some effective scatting and a wonderful piano solo.

Lovisa Jennervall (Vocals); Manne Skafvenstedt (Piano, Synthesizers); August Eriksson (Double Bass, Electric Bass, Violin); Edvin Glänte (Drums, Percussion)
Featuring: Johan Christoffersson (Alto Sax); Tobias Wiklund (Cornet); Gustav Alte (Pedal Steel)