A complete shock. Details sketchy but here's what's known, according to a press release posted to All About Jazz:
He was in a company of divers on Saturday June 14th at a Swedish jetty/landing stage under supervision of a dive-leader when he was found severely injured at the bottom. Resuscitation was unsuccessful. The police will investigate the cause of Svensson's death.
Sincerest condolences to his family and loved ones. Ethan Iverson has a heartfelt appreciation of Svensson's influential and much-loved band, E.S.T.
UPDATE: EST were one of the few new jazz groups to have an audience beyond just hardcore jazzbos. For instance, I don't think I've ever seen an obit for a jazz musician at Brooklyn Vegan before.
Ian Patterson (All About Jazz):
The shocking news of the death of Swedish pianist Esbjorn Svensson in a diving accident off Stochholm, on Saturday 14th June, will surely deeply sadden music lovers everywhere.I say music lovers, as opposed to strictly jazz lovers, as Svensson himself was neither restricted nor confined by categories, and was perhaps rather perplexed by the need of some to constantly attempt to define what jazz is.
Bruce Weber (NYT)
Phil Johnson (The Independent)
Andrea Canter, Jazz Police
David Adler, Lerterland
A Google blog search reveals tributes pouring in from all over -- most of them are not from jazz bloggers, but from listeners who found something resonant in EST's music.
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