Brecon shock at Esbjörn Svensson death

Organisers of HSBC Brecon Jazz say they're saddened at the death of the Swedish jazz pianist and composer Esbjörn Svensson, who was due to headline at this year's festival.

Svensson (pictured centre with trio colleagues Dan Berglund and Magnus Öström) died in a scuba diving accident in Stockholm on Saturday. He was 44 years old.

The manager of the Esbjörn Svensson Trio (EST) Burkhard Hopper said: "Musically, he was the light that lit the world because in what he did he was pushing boundaries. His music inspired people in all corners of the world."

HSBC Brecon Jazz Festival Director Jim Smith said: "The Brecon Jazz team and I are extremely saddened by Esbjörn Svensson's untimely death.

"I'm sure I speak for many people in saying that it was truly a privilege to watch this man perform. He was a legend in the true sense of the word. My thoughts are with his family at this time."

Formed in 1993, EST produced a string of 13 albums, which brought both critical acclaim and commercial success. They were the first European combo to be honoured on the cover of the prestigious American jazz magazine Down Beat in 2006.

Following a 2005 sell-out debut at Brecon, EST were due to headline the Saturday night at this year's HSBC Brecon Jazz Festival, in a UK concert exclusive.

Esbjörn Svensson is survived by his wife and two sons.

See www.est-music.com for details of his life and work.

I'll be playing some tracks from the trio as a tribute in the next edition of The Jazz Connection on Monday 23 June.