Erling Fredriksson explores his Tornedalian roots on a musical journey aimed at inspiring courage. With the help of inspiring anecdotes and a group of world-class musicians on stage, he encourages the audience to find their inner compass. This will touch you from the inside out!
Like the main characters inMikael Niemi’sbest-selling novel*Populärmusik från Vittula*,Erling Fredriksson, as a young student in the 1970s,hada music teacher who made a real difference. His name wasBengt Granberg, andhe came to Pajala after a long jazz tour throughout Europe.
“Bengt filled the room with Swedish prog rock, Tornedalian folk songs, andOlle Adolfsson, and I soaked it all in,” says Erling Fredriksson as he looks back.
It was during this time that Erling developed a taste for music in Meänkieli, and he began to feel a sense of pride in his Tornedalian roots. It is that pride that forms the basis of this concert.
This program features a selection of songs from Erling Fredriksson’s more than 30-year career as a singer, actor, and musician. The songs come from theater productions, album recordings, and other performances. Many are written in Meänkieli, and the genre is a blend of folk and world music, jazz, and ballads.
– I love it when different styles come together and when you never quite know what’s going to come around the next musical corner. We’ll be serving up a raw, energetic vibe mixed with stripped-down simplicity. All spiced up with a generous dose of authentic Tornedalian melancholy.
– Through my music, I want to inspire and encourage my audience. For me, it’s been important to connect with my inner compass and have the courage to follow it, even if it leads me down new and unexpected paths.
In addition to his long career as a musician and actor, Erling Fredriksson is also the theater director and artistic director of Tornedalsteatern. But he is not alone on stage. He is joined by a group of very exciting musicians who are also given plenty of opportunity to put their own stamp on the music.
Take, for example, bassistDan Berglund, who has played with Esbjörn Svensson’s trio and is one of Sweden’s most established musicians on both the national and international jazz scenes. Then there’sLivet Nord, anaward-winning violinist, composer, and artist who isn’t afraid to break down barriers between different musical genres and cultures. Her unique musical identity and her unmistakable sound can be heard on over 60 albums.
Also on stage isViktor Vilhelmsen on guitar, a Norwegian musician who plays everything from blues and jazz to rock and Northern Sami joik. On percussion, we haveIsidor Abdelkader, with roots in Tärendö, who has been part of the Norrbotten World production Aventura Brasileira! led by Karin Hammar.
“Ettheen aina ettheen ei saa heivata
Ei saa antaa perhiin ei saa koskhaan seisahtaa”
“Forward always forward in an endless race
Always just forward, never ever give up.”
– Erling Fredriksson
The performance is presented in collaboration with Norrlandsoperan.
