Esbjorn Svensson, 44: Swedish jazz pianist and composer

[Charlene]

Swedish jazzman Svensson dies in scuba accident
Sun Jun 15, 2008 6:27pm EDT

STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - Swedish jazz pianist and composer Esbjorn
Svensson, who helped break genre boundaries and attracted a young
audience outside the traditional jazz scene, died in a scuba diving
accident on Saturday, his manager said.

Burkhard Hopper, manager of the Esbjorn Svensson Trio (e.s.t.), said
Svensson, 44, died on Saturday in Sweden's Stockholm archipelago.

Svensson was a big name in international jazz circles with e.s.t.
winning critical acclaim and commercial success from Japan to the
United States, mainly in European countries such as Germany, France
and Britain, with albums such as Viaticum (2005) and Tuesday
Wonderland (2006).

"Musically, he was the light that lit the world because in what he did
he was pushing boundaries. Himself, he said he was following the music
inside himself," Hopper said by telephone from Germany.

"His music inspired people in all corners of the world."

E.s.t., which also includes Dan Berglund and Magnus Ostrom, was the
first European group to hit the cover of prestigious U.S. jazz
magazine Down Beat, in 2006. The group won several important honors,
including the European Jazz Award and the BBC Jazz Award, Hopper said.

The group, renowned for playing in rock venues to young crowds, had
recently finished its eleventh album, Lencocyte, that had been due for
commercial release in September.

Some 60-70 people, including jazz star Pat Metheny, had called
throughout the day to offer their condolences.

"Esbjorn was one of the finest people I ever met in my life. He was
humble, modest and appreciative of the work those working with him. He
was extremely respectful of other people," Hopper said.

Svensson leaves a wife and two children.