Magnus Öström (SE)

About

Also known as: Magnus Anne Öström, Magnus Arne Oestroem

Magnus Öström is the drummer who helped define the sound of Esbjörn Svensson Trio, better known as e.s.t., one of the most distinctive acts in European jazz. He and pianist Svensson had been playing together since childhood in Västerås, and their chemistry anchored a trio with bassist Dan Berglund that released twelve albums and toured internationally before Svensson's accidental death in 2008. Öström's drumming always carried a strong rock sensibility, rooted in a love of Hendrix, Deep Purple and the Allman Brothers, and that edge gave e.s.t. a lot of its crossover appeal. After taking some time following the loss of Svensson, Öström came back with his own quartet and released Thread of Life in 2011, which earned an Echo Jazz award. The record included Ballad for E, a tribute to Svensson. A second quartet album, Searching for Jupiter, followed in 2013 with a noticeably brighter feel. He has also collaborated extensively with names like Pat Metheny, Nils Landgren and Stina Nordenstam, and more recently formed the trio Rymden with Dan Berglund and Bugge Wesseltoft.