Lisa Ekdahl

Lisa Ekdahl (born July 29, 1971 in Mariefred/Sweden) is a Swedish singer and song writer in popular music. She has so far published 10 albums, most of them in the Swedish language but some entirely in English. Her voice has been described as "child-like"^[1] and "soft, supple and smooth".^[2] Her Swedish lyrics have also been praised.

Career

In 1994, at the age of 23, Ekdahl became famous overnight in Sweden with her self titled debut album and the #1 hit single "Vem Vet (Who Knows?)".^[2] The record sold almost 800,000 copies^[3] and she was awarded three Swedish music prizes, one of them as the nation's best artist of the year. She repeated the success in Denmark and Norway as well.

She signed with EMI Records, but later recorded two pop albums with RCA/BMG: "Med Kroppen Mot Jorden" and "Bortom Det Blå" in 1996 and 97. In 1998, she recorded the English language album "When Did You Leave Heaven", which contained jazz standards. While a success in Sweden and in France,^[4] American critics claimed her childish voice was considered unsuitable for jazz.^[2][1] Her following album, "Back To Earth" (1999), was again full of jazz standards and, like her jazz debut, recorded with the Peter Nordahl Trio. In France alone, it sold over 40,000 copies. She received positive reviews for her live appearances in Great Britain from The Daily Telegraph and The Guardian.

Lisa Ekdahl's sixth album, "Lisa Ekdahl sings Salvadore Poe" (2000), signaled a new direction and critical esteem.^[1] As the new album's title indicates, Ekdahl exclusively sings songs written by her husband, primarily in the bossa nova style. Her fragile and childish voice seems to be made for this type of music. ^[2] Their album was a smash in France and Scandinavia,^[2] where it sold over 120,000 copies by early 2001.

She has continued to record in both Swedish and English, most recently touring Scandinavia with an acoustic tour.^[5] Her voice is variously compared to Blossom Dearie, Diana Krall, and perhaps most accurately, Astrud Gilberto.^[1]

Personal life

She was born in Hägersten, Sweden to her parents who were a nuclear physicist and kindergarten teacher. She was raised just outside of Mariefred, Sweden. She has two sisters and attended school at the Tälje Musikgymnasium. Her music is published by Alicia Musik AB.

In 1999, she met American composer and guitarist Salvadore Poe^[2] on a flight to India. They married in 2000, and they later collaborated on an album together. For a time, she lived in New York City, her husband's hometown. From her first marriage to manager and musician, Bill Öhrström, she has a son Milton (born December 23, 1994). They were divorced in 2000.^[6]

She currently lives in the Södermalm district of Stockholm. Ekdahl travels each year to the north of India to study the culture.^[6]

Awards

• Rockbjörn-- "Best Female Artist" 1994
• Swedish Grammys --1994

Artist of the year, Female Pop

Rock artist of the Year

Album of the Year

• The Ulla Billquist scholarship

Discography

Solo albums

• 1994, Lisa Ekdahl
• 1996, Med kroppen mot jorden
• 1997, Bortom det blå
• 2000, Sings Salvadore Poe
• 2002, Heaven Earth & Beyond
• 2003, En samling sånger (Best-of-compilation)
• 2004, Olyckssyster
• 2006, Pärlor av glas
• 2009, Give Me That Slow Knowing Smile

Collaborations

• 1995, When Did You Leave Heaven (with the Peter Nordahl trio)
• 1998, Back to Earth (with the Peter Nordahl trio)
• 2001, Kiss & Hug: From a happy boy (duet with Danish singer Lars H.U.G. in the song Backwards)
• 2003, Duet with Rod Stewart in the song Where or When on his album As Time Goes By: the Great American Songbook 2

See also

• List of Swedes in music

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d} Blue Coupe Review
2. ^ ^{a b c d e f} Lisa Ekdahl Biography, concert and CD reviews
3. ^ official site biography
4. ^ Lisa Ekdahl - When Did You Leave Heaven Review
5. ^ Lisa Ekdahl on acoustic tour
6. ^ ^{a b} Valley

External links

• Official artist's site: Requires Flash
• A Swedish fan page (English in progress)
• Lisa Ekdahl tribute page (English)
• Lyrics Explained: Swedish lyrics explanation
• Lisa Ekdahl discography
• Lisa Ekdahl biography, photos, CD and concert reviews by cosmopolis.ch