New jazz festival at Hasse and Tage's writing cabin: 'Whoever wants can have a schnapps in the outhouse'

Stockholm's smallest jazz festival, "Svenska ord och toner" (Swedish Words and Tones), debuts this weekend in Vitabergsparken. The event takes place at the former writing cabin of beloved Swedish comedy duo Hasse Alfredson and Tage Danielsson.

Musician Tina Ahlin, one of the festival's organizers, explained the inspiration came from a request a few years ago from Hasse Alfredson's son, director Daniel Alfredson. He asked if she had ideas for events at the writing cabin's grounds. The concept, which Ahlin and pianist Calle Bagge began developing last fall, honors the legacy of Alfredson and Danielsson, with whom Calle's father, Lasse Bagge, collaborated.

Ahlin described the festival as "Stockholm's smallest jazz festival," noting its intimate setting in a small garden with space for only 200 people. She believes Alfredson would have appreciated the unpretentious format, recalling how they once performed a revue on a cloakroom counter. Some musicians at the festival may even perform in the grass.

The festival, running August 12-14, features main acts Bo Sundström, Isabella Lundgren, and Viktoria Tolstoy. Support from foundations like Gavatins and Benny Andersson's foundation has enabled the inclusion of emerging jazz talent, with young musicians performing as opening acts each evening. Klocktornet distillery has even created a special schnapps for the event, which Ahlin humorously suggested could be enjoyed in the outhouse, a touch she thinks Alfredson would have found amusing.

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Hasse Alfredsons son, regissören Daniel Alfredson, frågade mig för några år sedan om jag hade någon idé som vi kunde göra på gården till skrivstugan i Vitabergsparken i Stockholm.