As a musician/composer/producer I have several projects that are presented more in detail on other pages: Jakob Norgren Jazz Orchestra, Big Band Splash, The Emersons and Wime Records.
I was born in 1967 and grew up in Piteå and Örebro (Sweden). I took piano lessons when I was 8 years old and then clarinet lessons at age 10 to 15. Then, for a few years basketball occupied most of my time, but at age 19 I decided to buy a tenor sax and learn how to play jazz. In 1989–91 I studied at Fridhems folkhögskola, Svalöv with Cennet Jönsson as an inspiring teacher.
In the 90’s I played jazz and funk with different bands, but I also studied at the Stockholm University and took a Master of Education for the Upper Secondary School (Psychology & Social studies). I also developed as a saxophone player by taking lessons from Hector Bingert and Alberto Pinton.
In 1999-2006 I took a Master of Music at the Royal College of Music, Stockholm. The first four years my main subject was jazz saxophone with Alberto Pinton, Joakim Milder, Karl-Martin Almqvist and Johan Hörlen. 2003-2006 I studied composition with Örjan Fahlström as my most important teacher. At the Royal College of Music (even before I started) I also had the pleasure of meeting guest professors/lecturers Maria Schneider, Jim McNeely, Quincy Jones, Joe Lovano, Wynton Marsalis, Tim Hagans, Karl-Heinz Stockhausen, Helge Albin, Michael Gibbs and B.B. King.
I have been involved in various small scale jazz projects, and played on tours with Knock-Out Greg, Sven Zetterberg, Marino & The King Five, Mike Sanchez (U.K.), Rolf Wikström, The Beat From Palookaville, and Trickbag featuring U.S. bluesmen John Németh and Kid Ramos. I also had the chance to work with Blue House Jazz Orchestra, Ann-Sofi Söderqvist Jazz Orchestra, Peter Asplund Big Band, Koop, Arne Forsén Unit, Baskery, Tower of Power Tribute band, Motown Xperience, Crawfish (New Orleans funk), Khalid, and the music theatre “Från ökenblues till hiphop”.
I recieved grants from the Swedish Arts Grants Committee (Konstnärsnämnden) 2008 & 2010, STIM 2015 & 2020, and Stockholms stads kulturstipendium 2016. My big band received grants from the Swedish Cultural Council (Statens Kulturråd) for a few years.
Alongside my music career I have been teaching psychology, social studies, and music. In 2023 I completed my PhD in Medical Science at Karolinska Institutet. My doctoral project targeted the impact of diet on cognitive health in normal aging and Alzheimer’s disease.
JAKOB NORGREN 