Gunhild Carling
Known as "Sweden's Queen of Swing" and "the Wonder Woman of Jazz," Gunhild Carling transforms SFJAZZ's intimate Joe Henderson Lab into a musical playground where vintage jazz comes alive with explosive energy and theatrical flair. This Northern California-based Swedish multi-instrumentalist doesn't just perform — she creates an experience that defies easy categorization.
Carling's musical arsenal spans an astounding range of instruments: trombone, trumpet, recorder, bagpipes, harmonica, harp, piano, drums, banjo, and more. Her performances pulse with 1920s and '30s hot jazz, early swing, and Dixieland, channeling the joyful spirit that originally drew audiences to jazz clubs. Winner of Sweden's Louis Armstrong Scholarship at age ten, she's been captivating audiences worldwide with her family's big band and through collaborations with Postmodern Jukebox, where she reimagines modern pop hits as vintage swing numbers.
Expect theatrical entrances, costume changes, and moments that blur the line between concert and vaudeville. Recent reviews describe her as "like the belle of the ball, dressed in a sequin outfit and boa," who enters from the audience "blowing her horn like Gabriel." She's known to play three trumpets simultaneously, balance instruments while playing bass, and even incorporate tap dancing into her performances. Her stage presence radiates what one critic called "exuberant happiness that jazz is supposed to bring."
Musically, Carling channels the greats — her trumpet tone recalls Armstrong and Bobby Hackett, while her trombone growls like Jack Teagarden. Broadway World notes her "vivacious flair and boldness," describing performances as "a nightclub experience that defies description." Recent performances have featured family members, including daughter Idun on trombone and vocals, creating a multi-generational celebration of swing-era traditions.
With over 50 million YouTube views and performances everywhere from TEDxArendal to America's Got Talent, Carling has become a global ambassador for vintage jazz's infectious joy. Her recent album "Jazz Is My Lifestyle" showcases original compositions delivered in authentic 1920s-40s styles, proving she's not just preserving jazz history but actively expanding it with contemporary creativity and boundless theatrical imagination.