Gunhild Carling
Multi-instrumentalist Gunhild Carling brings her virtuosic blend of swing, New Orleans jazz, and theatrical showmanship to SFJAZZ's intimate Joe Henderson Lab for four performances with her ensemble. Known as "Sweden's Queen of Swing" and "the Wonder Woman of Jazz," Carling commands an arsenal of instruments — trombone, trumpet, harp, flute, bagpipes, harmonica, recorder, and more — sometimes playing multiple horns simultaneously in her signature three-trumpet feat.
Carling's performances are equal parts musical excellence and vaudeville spectacle. Recent live reviews describe her as "a shimmering presence" who "performs with vivacious flair and boldness," entering through the audience while playing her horn and creating an immediate connection with the crowd. Her stage presence combines serious jazz chops with playful theatricality — she tap dances, juggles instruments with family members, and transforms everything from bagpipes to medieval recorders into vehicles for swing and blues.
Her ensemble for these dates includes trombonist and daughter Idun Carling, son Viggo Carling on drums, New Orleans clarinetist Chloe Feoranzo, bassist LaMi Ram, and Bay Area pianist Neil Fontano. The group will perform material from Carling's latest album Jazz Is My Lifestyle, featuring original compositions rooted in New Orleans traditions alongside classic swing standards. Expect "Just a Closer Walk with Thee" (a staple she performs at nearly every show), "Miller Avenue," and new songs shaped by her recent Bay Area residency.
The Joe Henderson Lab's intimate setting allows for the close-range interaction that drives Carling's performances. As one reviewer noted, she treats "the audience as participants," reading the room and adjusting her set in real time. Whether delivering a tender ballad on harp, unleashing her "swampy, Southern-style" trombone tone, or leading a sing-along on her latest composition, Carling creates what critics call "a nightclub experience that defies description" — part concert, part variety show, and entirely joyful.
With over 50 million YouTube views and collaborations with Scott Bradlee's Postmodern Jukebox, Carling has built a global following by bringing vintage jazz sensibilities to contemporary audiences. Her SFJAZZ performances promise the full spectrum of her talents in the kind of intimate venue where her musical storytelling and audience connection truly shine.