Lars Gullin
b. 4 May 1928, Visby, Sweden, d. 17 May 1976. After playing clarinet and alto saxophone, Gullin took up the baritone at the age of 21. From 1951-53 he worked with Arne Domnerus and Rolf Ericson, then formed his own quintet. An ardent bebopper, and influenced by Lennie Tristano, Gullin was a radical among Swedish musicians of the time; he also made an impact on the USA jazz scene, winning a DOWNBEAT poll as best newcomer in 1954 (a notable achievement for a European musician). Gullin later worked chiefly as a single, playing with local rhythm sections, and recorded regularly with visiting American artists. In 1959 he toured Italy with Chet Baker. Unfortunately, his career was marred by drug addiction and he was inactive for long periods. One of the first European jazz artists to build an international reputation, Gullin's baritone playing was distinguished by his remarkable facility and by a lightness of tone that made it sound at times almost like an alto saxophone. He also wrote several distinctive jazz compositions, which reveal the influence of Swedish classical and folk musics: the tribute set DEDICATED TO LEE, has his admirer Lee Konitz playing on a selection of Gullin's tunes. The outstanding film, SVEN KLANG'S KVINTETT (1976), is a fictionalized account of his early career.