SPLICED Magazine Issue 04 April/May 2014 | Page 23

LIFE / BLACKBEARD'S CHEST / A COLLECTION OF RANDOM TREASURES ISSUE 04 Music Martin Sjöstedt Get his music on www.martinsjostedt.com I play Martijn Sjöstedt’s latest CD In the Blink of an Eye in my car and it has cured me of road rage. I first met Martin in East London in 2005 in a hotel lobby. He was part of a quartet visiting South Africa and I thought he looked like a rock star, not a jazz musician – denims, leather and a big grin. Years later after countless returns to play at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival and other events I’m happy to say I have followed his music and try not to miss a single gig when he is in the country. He is a talented bassist, pianist, arranger and composer. In his latest album he collaborates with the Stockholm Jazz Orchestra and the result is best described as a larger than life jazz jam that can’t be ignored. He is one of the biggest talents in Swedish jazz and this year’s recipient of the Jan Johansson award. Martin Sjöstedt will be at the Grahamstown Festival in 2015. 23