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Karin Hammar
Biography Karin Hammar
Karin Hammar
was born 1974 in the northern town Boden in Sweden. She studied at the Royal Conservatory of Stockholm between 1994-1999 and she has freelanced as full time musician since 1997. She has worked with most of the professional big bands in Sweden, but also with the European EBU Big Band. She has also played with internationally acclaimed Jazz Baltica Ensemble (with top musicians from northern Europe), most of the German radio big bands (WDR -West Deutsche Rundfunk, SWR Big Band, and HR Big Band) and Norwegian Trondheim Jazz Orchestra.
Swedish trombonist Karin Hammar has long been considered one of the best in her field in her home country and across much of Europe, and she is no longer an unknown figure here either.
Ever since Nils Landgren hailed her as a musical discovery and championed her career years ago, the Swede has ranked among the outstanding voices on her instrument internationally, and her list of musical credentials continues to grow. In addition to tours and recordings with illustrious jazz stars such as Kenny Werner, Tim Hagans, Steve Swallow, Gary Burton, and Maria Schneider, it is above all her Swedish compatriot and fellow trombonist Nils Landgren who has repeatedly brought her into the spotlight—for instance, as a soloist with the Jazz Baltica Ensemble or the EBU Big Band.
In Japan, recordings by "Sliding Hammers"—a band Karin Hammar leads with her sister Mimi, also a trombonist—have enjoyed great success.
International music critics now regard her as one of the most interesting and promising trombonists in European jazz. In recent years, Karin Hammar has received several awards, including the "Alice Babs Jazz Award" and the "Jazz Club Fasching Award."
She plays modern jazz infused with elements of salsa, bossa nova, bop, swing, and pop music. This exciting blend, combined with her excellent technique, virtuosity, and sheer joy of playing, commands attention.
Speaking about her work as a trombonist, Hammar says: “The hardest part of being a jazz musician is listening to your own inner voice, translating it into action regardless of the musical context on stage, and bringing a piece of yourself into the music. Some musicians stick to just one style, but I get so much back from playing—and combining—different styles.”
Following two critically acclaimed albums, *Imprints* (2016) and *Circles* (2018), Fab4—the trombonist’s ensemble—is now set to significantly expand its sonic horizons. A string quartet joins the core lineup of Andreas Hourdakis (guitar), Niklas Fernqvist (double bass), and Fredrik Rundqvist (drums)—adding a stylish finishing touch. Classical textures are interwoven with distinctive jazz progressions to create unique soundscapes.
Hourdakis is an agile electric guitarist who navigates the fringes of fusion with stylistic confidence. The rhythm section provides plenty of drive and power when needed. Yet, rising above it all is Karin Hammar’s signature trombone sound, which has gained significantly in maturity and presence. It features smooth, impeccable intonation and clear phrasing with precise accents—and, where appropriate, a solid dose of brassy bite.
