Esbjörn Svensson

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Esbjörn Svensson Trio at Vitoria-Gasteiz (Spain). July 2003Esbjörn Svensson Trio (or E.S.T.) (formed 1993) was a Swedish jazz piano trio consisting of Esbjörn Svensson (piano), Dan Berglund (double bass) and Magnus Öström (drums).

E.S.T were renowned for their vibrant style, often playing in rock venues to young crowds. They achieved great commercial success and critical acclaim throughout Europe. Their 1999 release From Gagarin's Point of View started their international breakthrough, being the first E.S.T. album to be released outside of Scandinavia through the German label ACT.

Pianist Esbjörn Svensson died in a scuba diving accident on 14 June 2008. He is survived by his wife and two sons.





Awards
In 1995 and 1996 Esbjörn Svensson was awarded Swedish Jazz Musician of the Year and 1998 Songwriter of the Year, and the 1997 release Winter in Venice – consisting mainly of original material – was awarded the Swedish Grammy. Strange Place For Snow, E.S.T.'s 2002 release earned numerous awards including the Jahrespreis der Deutschen Schallplattenkritik (from the German Phonoacademy), the German Jazz Award, Choc de l'année (Jazzman, France), the Victoire du Jazz – the French Grammy – as best international act and also the Revelation of the Festival award, a special award from Midem. In December 2004, E.S.T. were awarded the Hans Koller prize as European Artist of the Year.