I’ve mentioned Swedish songstress and multi-instrumentalist marvel Gunhild Carling here more than once before, generally citing her as an example of either a uniquely superb vocalist or a brilliantly talented and imaginative player. And yet, despite repeatedly heaping praise upon her, I’ve never reviewed a single one of Carling’s records. That changes now, with an appraisal of her new album Jazz is My Lifestyle.
The 49-year-old blond bombshell trombonist is perhaps most famous for putting her unique spin on jazz standards, often involving her playing several instruments—and occasionally at the same time. Others will know her Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox collabs, in which she has covered the likes of Abba, Madonna, and Rick Astley in a speakeasy style. But believe it or not, there’s more to the Scandi superstar: it turns out Carling is also a capable composer, with eleven of her original numbers packed into this one disc.
It’s a smorgasbord of vintage jazz styles, including a range of tempos which are mostly very danceable. The record kicks off with the title track, a New Orleans-style romp referencing two-tone shoes, victory rolls, and Ford Model Ts while name-dropping standards like “April in Paris” and “Autumn in New York.” It feels part mission statement, part coming out track and part invitation—an anthem for jazz nerds, vintage fashion enthusiasts,
