Magnus Carlson & The Moon Ray Quintet

Rooted in the tradition of jazz but with eyes set far beyond the standard repertoire, singer Magnus Carlson – well-known for his distinctive voice in Weeping Willows – and The Moon Ray Quintet, led by trumpeter Goran Kajfeš, offer up groovy jazz filled with magical tones, psychedelic undertones, and cinematic elegance. Here, warm blue notes and unexpected interpretations meet in a dynamic interplay, rich with hypnotic grooves and imaginative arrangements.

The musical journey began in 2008, born from the idea of a jazz album for EMI/Blue Note. It was the legendary music producer Kjell Andersson who envisioned Magnus Carlson interpreting jazz in his own unique way. Magnus reached out to Goran Kajfeš – and together they assembled an outstanding band featuring some of Sweden’s most respected musicians.

The band’s debut album stood out in the jazz landscape. Instead of choosing classic standards, they opted to reinterpret unexpected gems – from The Zombies to Rodriguez – and breathed new life into them in a jazzy, genre-defying format. The result was an eclectic blend of soul, lounge, cinematic jazz, and psychedelic elements – music infused with warmth, emotion, and attitude. The album was praised by both audiences and critics and was followed by a tour and the release of the follow-up Echoes.

Magnus Carlson, born August 3, 1968, in Stockholm, is a Swedish singer and songwriter with a long and versatile career. He is best known as the frontman of Weeping Willows, where his unique voice has captivated audiences for over two decades. Alongside the band, he has released several acclaimed solo albums – in both Swedish and English – across genres like soul, pop, and of course, jazz.

On stage:
Magnus Carlson – vocals
Per “Ruskträsk” Johansson – saxophone and flute
Goran Kajfeš – trumpet
Calle Bagge – piano
Martin Höper – bass
Lars Skoglund – drums