It is so nice when 3 individual sounds speak, have their own identity and come together beautifully as one. EST is a trio that has this quality and transforms jazz music through a Swedish filter to get a sound that marvelously intoxicating. EST is Esbjorn Svensson on piano, Dan Berglund on Bass and Magnus Ostrom on drums.

Catalina Bar and Grill provides such an intimate space to create good music. The rich maroon colors add to the seductiveness of the music. Mentally provocative and challenging, EST engages you in all velocities of the straight ahead progressive spirit. Their Mehldauian bodies are lucid and free to let their interpretations flow like rippling music tides that guide their direction in the open waters of creativity. Dan sets the tone on a few tunes with a dominant boom of the E,A and G to set the rhythm and then switches to lead by pulling out his bow and letting the sound soar. Esbjorn vacillates from beautiful melodies to percussivly strong pounds of sound and back again! Magnus supports with light intricate brushes providing a warm undertones and adding such nice little delicacies at just the right time.

EST left Sweden, made a stop somewhere else and then made another 11 hour plane excursion hear to Los Angeles. Even after a long day of travel they sound fresh and romantically lovely. EST immerses you in their sound which is lushly thought provoking and you are made to stop, think and feel not only the music but, appreciate the organic space it takes you to.

Esbjorn also adds a synthesizing touch which creates a mystical element to the sound. Visually, I imagine a tiger ominously prowling through the rainforest, sleek, exciting and dangerous all at the same time. Magnus plays puts down the brushes and plays with his bare hands while Dan bows beautiful long gorgeous tones. The music has the feel of a soundtrack to a cognitive and forward thinking silent film as you sink deeper and deeper into a relaxingly blissful musical state.

Sweden must be a lovely place!

LeRoy Downs
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