Listen Closely Agnes Persson

• 1The Music Never Stopped04:49
• 2Jordens Hjärta09:14
• 3Guarmelande03:20
• 4Listen Closely04:23
• 5I Can Only Sing the Truth05:03
• 6The Sound of Your Hello05:58
• 7Staying/Falling04:55
• Total Runtime37:42

Info for Listen Closely

After the success of her debut album, it is now time for guitarist and composer Agnes Persson's next musical journey - this time with her new trio.

From soft and brittle to attack and alarm (but only a few notes). That's how Agnes Persson's guitar sound can be described. The album Listen closely was made with her new trio, consisting of Jakob Ulmestrand, double bass, and Ludwig Aronsson, drum kit. Both are almost as individual as the electric guitarist Persson, in the sense that each is his own musical individual.

All seven songs were composed by Agnes Persson, three of them with the rest of the band. How much is composed and how much is improvised? She is the pathfinder and the leader. But Ulmestrand and Aronsson do not play along obediently but add their thoughts and expressions. They interact with, against and alongside.

Each track hides secrets, which I only realise after several listens. For example, that the tones of the electric guitar form increasingly beautiful melodies.

Agnes Persson, guitar
Jakob Ulmestrand, double bass
Ludwig Aronsson, drums

Agnes Persson
Guitarist and composer Agnes Persson is one of various young musicians who’s renewed the Swedish jazz scene during the last couple of years. Her debut album In Collaboration With Flowers (Havtorn Records, 2021) stood out a little extra among the Swedish music publishings that year, much due to its original compositions and arrangements made by Agnes herself.

In the last five years Agnes has been performing regularly with her own music in different constellations. Most frequently with her quartet, with whom she released her first ever record. She's also been part of many other projects, ranging between explosive modern big bands and intimate duos.

In 2020, Agnes was awarded the prestigious Albin Hagström Scholarship for guitarists, as well as STIMs Scholarship for music creators. That same year she was a part of Bohuslän Big Band's yearly project "Up & Coming Jazz Talents", resulting in two concerts with said professional big band. In January 2022 she was nominated for Best New Artist at SOM:s "Manifestgalan”, just after being named ”Jazz Guitar Album of the Year” by Lira Music Magazine.

On her debut album In Collaboration With Flowers Agnes presents eight original tunes that together creates a compelling sphere where energetic improvisation meets introspective compositions. The album is a reflection on the act of movement - a liberating dance, a step in the hearts direction, or a swaying windflower in a sun-drenched forest glade. The record features tenor sax player Elin Forkelid and cornet player Tobias Wiklund. In addition, track one and five have been co-arranged with composer and musician Oskar Schönning.

Agnes Persson is the focal point and core of the music. The tone of her guitar lingers with such a distinct atmosphere, that it stays present even when her playing is subtle - and even when she doesn't play at all." - Lira Music Magazine

…but it’s always Perssons' round and soft tone that leads the music - her solos are relaxed and utterly pleasant to listen to. It’s in her solos that her blues feeling is best presented. Listen for example to the gorgeous tune ”What About Naples”, that is a gem of a blues. . . I am very certain that this is far from the last time we’ll hear Agnes Persson on record or live." - Jan Granlie, Salt Peanuts

This album contains no booklet.