Cornelis Vreeswijk in big band attire with Alexander Hermansen

Cornelis Vreeswijk in big band attire - Fredrikstad big band featuring Alexander Hermansen

Cornelis Vreeswijk (1937-1987) is regarded as one of Sweden's greatest troubadours. As a renewer of Swedish folk music tradition, he collaborated closely with prominent Swedish jazz musicians like Jan Johansson, Georg Riedel, and Georg "Jojje" Wadenius. Vreeswijk's songs are therefore very well suited for 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 acted as a guide and folk singer on his own music trips in Vreeswijk's footsteps in Stockholm.

Fredrikstad Big Band was established in 1981 and can celebrate a full 45 years this year as Fredrikstad's city orchestra for jazz. The band has its musical roots deeply planted in traditions created by legends like Basie, Ellington, and Miller, but has also built a musical span from church concerts to pure jazz performances to more show-oriented productions. They have performed in places like St. Petersburg, New Orleans, New York, Greece, Spain, and Cuba. The musical director is Ole-Henrik Mohn Pettersen.

It will be an evening of familiar Vreeswijk classics and rich big band sound intertwined with entertaining stories from Vreeswijk's tumultuous life.