Lars Edegran's Jazz Band

Biography

Lars Ivar Edegran, born in Stockholm, Sweden, in 1944, grew up in a musical family immersed in American blues and jazz from an early age. He began playing in New Orleans-style jazz groups as a teenager, forming a band with fellow Swede Örjan 'Orange' Kellin at age 17 and releasing three EPs together. After studying at the Juilliard School of Music in New York for two years, he moved to the U.S. on a green card to work at Delmark Records in Chicago, where he encountered blues legends like Buddy Guy, before hitchhiking to New Orleans in 1965, arriving the day after Hurricane Betsy.[1][2][3][5]

On his first day in New Orleans, Edegran visited Preservation Hall, was invited to play by founder Allan Jaffe, and quickly became a regular, joining the black musicians' union and performing with veterans at the venue and Luthjen’s Dance Hall. A multi-instrumentalist proficient on piano, guitar, banjo, mandolin, clarinet, and saxophone, he founded the New Orleans Ragtime Orchestra with Orange Kellin, arranging music including tuba parts for bassist Allan Jaffe, and later led iterations like the Palm Court Jazz Band at the Palm Court Jazz Cafe in the French Quarter. His career highlights include theatrical arrangements for the revue 'One Mo’ Time,' the Academy Award-nominated soundtrack for the 1978 film 'Pretty Baby,' extensive touring with Preservation Hall Jazz Band (including the White House and Newport Jazz Festival), and producing GHB Records, a key label for New Orleans jazz reissues.[1][2][3][4]

Edegran's style is rooted in Dixieland, ragtime, and traditional New Orleans jazz, blending European enthusiasm with authentic local sounds. He has performed regularly for decades, received a 2010 Preservation Resource Center award for his contributions to jazz heritage, and continues as a cultural ambassador, honored by Preservation Hall's Legacy Awards in recent years.[2][3]

Fun Facts

• Arrived in New Orleans in 1965 the day after Hurricane Betsy and played his first gig at Preservation Hall that same night after being invited by founder Allan Jaffe.
• Formed a jazz band at age 17 with Orange Kellin in Sweden, releasing three EPs before both moved to New Orleans in 1966.
• His soundtrack for the 1978 film 'Pretty Baby' was nominated for an Academy Award.
• Produces GHB Records, a premier label for New Orleans-style jazz reissues and new releases.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Johnny Wiggs - Took Edegran under his wing upon arrival in New Orleans, helping him secure work (General early gigs including painting houses) [1965 onward]
• Allan Jaffe - Preservation Hall founder who invited Edegran to play on his first day (Preservation Hall sessions and Ragtime Orchestra (tuba arrangements)) [1965 onward]
• Father Al Lewis - Banjoist at Preservation Hall who greatly inspired Edegran (Preservation Hall performances) [1960s onward]
• Tuts Washington - Pianist at Preservation Hall who greatly inspired Edegran (Preservation Hall performances) [1960s onward]

Key Collaborators

• Örjan 'Orange' Kellin - Formed early jazz band in Sweden and co-founded New Orleans Ragtime Orchestra (Three EPs in Sweden, New Orleans Ragtime Orchestra, New Orleans Joymakers) [1961-1966 onward]
• Preservation Hall Jazz Band - Regular performer and touring member (Tours including White House and Newport Jazz Festival) [1965 onward]
• Dwayne Burns - Band member in Lars Edegran And His New Orleans All Stars (GHB Records album BCD-411) [Recent]
• Tom Fischer - Band member in Lars Edegran And His New Orleans All Stars (GHB Records album BCD-411) [Recent]
• Fred Lonzo - Band member in Lars Edegran And His New Orleans All Stars (GHB Records album BCD-411) [Recent]

Discography

Top Tracks

1. I Can't Believe That You're in Love with Me (feat. Lars Edegran's Jazz Band) (Doc Cheatham and Sammy Price in New Orleans)
2. That Da-Da Strain (feat. Lars Edegran's Jazz Band) (Doc Cheatham and Sammy Price in New Orleans)
3. Deed I Do (feat. Lars Edegran's Jazz Band) (Doc Cheatham and Sammy Price in New Orleans)
4. Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone (feat. Lars Edegran's Jazz Band) (Doc Cheatham and Sammy Price in New Orleans)
5. Poor Butterfly (feat. Lars Edegran's Jazz Band) (Doc Cheatham and Sammy Price in New Orleans)
6. G.B. Boogie (feat. Lars Edegran's Jazz Band) (Doc Cheatham and Sammy Price in New Orleans)
7. My Blue Heaven (feat. Lars Edegran's Jazz Band) (Doc Cheatham and Sammy Price in New Orleans)
8. I Can't Get Started with You (feat. Lars Edegran's Jazz Band) (Doc Cheatham and Sammy Price in New Orleans)
9. These Foolish Things Remind Me of You (feat. Lars Edegran's Jazz Band) (Doc Cheatham and Sammy Price in New Orleans)
10. Sweet Lorraine (feat. Lars Edegran's Jazz Band) (Doc Cheatham and Sammy Price in New Orleans)

External Links

• Spotify
• [Wikipedia](Not directly available; referenced in source [1])