Sweden’s leading jazz singer has died, at 90
mainAlice Babs was the first non-opera singer to be awarded the title Royal Court Singer (hovsångerska). She represented her country at Eurovision in 1958 with “Lilla stjärna” (“Little Star”). As a sideline, she sang some early Swedish and Elizabethan folksongs. In her genre, she’s right up there with Birgit.
She was so amazing! Here is a clip of her with an interview (wish I could understand Swedish!) and older TV performances together with the grand old man of Danish jazz violin playing, Svend Asmussen:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csRUYiZvB70
All done live, without playback (one would assume!)
What a delight. Another reason to keep exploring youtube. And Johny Hodges has long been my favourite saxophonist.
The Duke and his Ellingtonians all loved Alice Babs; even the gruffest among them (Cootie Williams!). This clip was filmed shortly before Johnny Hodges’ death and he plays as beautifully as ever on it. R.I.P. Alice Babs; a wonderful singer and a wonderful person.
This song is so sweet, i love it