Andreas Hellkvist

It can be very inspiring to play in venues that aren't specifically concert halls, like this small book shop in en center of Uppsala. You squeeze in and just let the surroundings flow into whatever you're doing. I

A short lunch concert at a church in Haninge, south of Stockholm. We also brought photograpther Palli Kristmundsson to take the pictures for our upcoming CD release. The picutre here is one from the shoot, although not the cover image for the CD.

A nice finish to this mini tour, but also a pity that it's over for this time. Can't wait to play with this trio again. Feels like we really got something going!

The second concert of the tour was at Hijazz Klubb in Uppsala. It was quite a contrast from the night before. Then, loud and noisy, and here more intimate. Both fun and  challenging in their own way. 

First time I played at and even visited Borlänge House of blues. What a joy to see a dedicated music venue in my former hometown!  We had a blast on stage. A lot of old friends coming to see us. I put together a compilation of the concert. I think it well captures the spirit…

It has been way too long, but we finally recorded our fourth album. The Atlantis studio was truly an inspiring place to do it. We're planning a release in early August so our concert at Ystad Jazz festival will be the official release concert.

I love variations of the trio setting, and the organ and piano together is a really nice variant. It was the first time that I played with Leo Lindberg. We had a lot of fun, and I hope we'll get to do it again some time.

First gig at this Uppsala pub. I've been there many times listening to friends play and sometimes just for a beer. Thomas had arranged for video and audio recording so here's one of the songs. 

I think I've never actually been in Smedjebacken, although it's not that far from where I grew up. That's one thing I like about playing music - it takes you places you wouldn't have gone otherwise. And as I'm writing this, it strikes me that that could be said both in a geographical and a…

Blueskvintetten got together for another gig in Bollstabruk. I got my A100 and 142P leslie from the organ tech the day before so I couldn't resist to bring it. Worked out nice! Both the organ and the leslie has a brigher character which fits well into this bluesy setting.

Funkup's only appearance at Scala this spring. I decided to bring my Custom B3. It works well in this band, espacially it has a separate sub bass output. Conny Bloom was playing guitar, and there were some guests as well. As usual, playing with this band is just a party!  

Second gig of our trip down south. I have played at this club a couple of times, but not this particular venue. It was almost full, everyone on the top of their game. When we played "Got my mojo working" I hought to myself - wow, that was fun! So, I put up the solo…

You always get a solemn feeling playing in a old theatre. This is certainly one of those places. Quite a trip from Uppsala, but well worth it. This was the first of two dates in the area. Playing with Claes Janson and Arnesen Bluesband is such a joy!

Livejazzbaren celebrating their 3 year anniversary with some of the guest artists over the years. In the picture, the house trio is sitting in the couch, and guest artists in the back.

Church service with a jazz theme. We've done a couple of those, and they can be quite different. What I liked about this one was that in middle there was a conversation between me and the preacher. Some parts of it were prepared, but he did put me on the spot as well. But I…

Playing in Hallsberg with Arnesen Bluesband and Claes Janson. Last time we were there was in 2003 so good to be back! The concert was filmed by jazztv.se.

Funk Up's played in the VIP lounge at Cancergalan in Globen. Short but sweet!

The last concert of the tour, complete with a Chrstmas lunch. Nothing left than to with you all a Merry Christmas!

Last day of our tour in Västerås at homes for elderly. You can tell it's close to Christmas.

Second gig this day. Things got a little more complicated due to technical problems with my van, but it worked out quite nicely. 

During this tour of "Mötesplatser" (Meeting places) in Västerås, it has been interesting to see how they differ. This one I especially liked, sitting in an open space with a library behind us. 

Second gig of the day - another meeting point. 

Another day of our tour of so called meeting point for enderly in Västerås. This one with a nice little stage in front of the cafeteria.

Sunday lunch blues at Kulturoasen with the BB King tribute and it was filled almost to capacity. "Let the good times roll" is one of the songs, and I can vouch for that we had a really good time!