Born in Gothenburg on 13th September 1932. He studied the piano with Sixten Eckerberg 1945-1946 and played jazz at the same time. He made his first recording in 1948 with Thore Jederby’s orchestra and in 1950 came the first trio recording in his own name. Since then he has made innumerable gramophone recordings with Swedish jazz musicians and visiting American soloists such as Stan Getz.

Since 1954 he has been living in Stockholm where, until 1957, he studied at the State Academy of Music (e.g. composition with Lars Erik Larsson). More recently he has cultivated a very wide range of musical activity — as a jazz musician in Arne Domnérus' orchestra, together with Trio Con Tromba and groups of his own, as a composer, arranger and orchestral leader in various studio performances, and as a piano soloist in classical performances together with symphony orchestras and chamber groups. In 1987 he was elected a Member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Music and a Member of the Swedish Composers' Society.

Hallberg began early as a jazz composer and, for example, made a number of widely noticed octet recordings of his own compositions in 1953. Since the 1960s he has written music for a host of different contexts and combinations, often attempting to combine the language of jazz with western art music tradition, folk music etc. His listed works include ballet and opera music, symphonic music, choral compositions, chamber music, piano pieces and big band compositions. His compositions are a personal synthesis of influences and elements from many different quarters, music distinguished by his eminent qualities of playfulness and imagination. SJ

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One word of praise, among many, that applies to Bengt Hallberg is prolific. And that he is, indeed: he's recorded a duet project with bassist Hans Backenroth for his own label Improkomp. From a solo piano concert at the Berwaldhallen he's released a double CD with fan favourites. Together with conductor Gustaf Sjökvist and the DalaSinfonietta he's premiered his own work "Black and White Concerto". Without missing a beat, Bengt Hallberg can go from a classical concert to a tour with Arne Domnérus band considered one of the most popular for several years during the 60s. The beat goes on...

Bengt Hallberg's versatility also led him into the world of "popular music". He accompanied local stars like Lill-Babs, Lasse Lönndahl as well as SweDanes with Alice Babs, Svend Asmussen and Ulrik Neumann. He also been successful as a composer and arranger, bringing quality and a feeling for style to the most diverse settings. Bengt cites Frank Sinatra's arranger Nelson Riddle as a big inspiration.

Primarily, Bengt Hallberg is a jazz musician who earned recognition and admiration from many corners. Arranger Gil Evans praised him, and his recordings from the Golden Circle jazz club from the 60's are simply brilliant. In the context of Trio Com Tromba he's created chamber jazz. Bengt Hallberg is the kind of musical soul that can be inspired by bird song as one can clearly hear in the flute introduction to his ambitious work for the Swedish Radio Jazz Group: "Spring On the Air".

After a longer period of solo-playing Bengt Hallberg is joined on his album, "In A Mellow Tone" by bassist Hans Backenroth. "I recently had the pleasure of getting to know Hans Backenroth, a bassist who combine youthful freshness with a genuine feel for traditional jazz elements, and it seemed only natural to let Hans’ bass present the title melody "In A Mellow Tone", says Bengt and continues: "The choice of melodies on this CD is basically traditional. I was looking for tunes that were rewarding to improvise on, but which the listener could easily recognise."

Erik Centerwall