Agnes Darelid: redefining the jazz scene with her trombone

Music hides memories, losses, feelings, and colors that can only be described through an instrument, which has naturally become an extension of both voice and mind. The symbiosis between these two – the musician and the trombone – can only be understood by listening to and immersing oneself in the sounds that arise from this chemistry. These musical conversations, born in intimacy, resonate with anyone who listens. In an instant, the layers and sentiments perceived by her become shared elements with the listener.

As the cover reveals, there she is, Agnes Darelid, with her trombone by her side, an instrument that had become a natural language. "I’ve often wondered why I wanted to study or learn improvisation and music. It’s because I love music that much, I want to understand what I’m doing. I want to know why I like some sounds, why certain notes speak to me, or why I move in a direction when I hear a melody." Though her voice comes from Sweden, her music rises through the global contemporary jazz scene. "For me, the trombone has been a challenge. At first, it felt like a tool I had to master. But the more I play and the more grounded I feel in my knowledge of the instrument, it becomes something that extends me rather than something I need to reach: it feels more like an extension of my voice. I want the things in my head—the ideas, thoughts, or feelings I want to express—to be as connected to the trombone as possible. When I achieve that, I feel truly in the zone."

RISE, her debut album, is filled with personal and family memories that have been transformed into a rich sonic landscape. The nine songs reveal improvisations, melodies, and collaborations with musicians like percussionist Liliana Zavala and saxophonist Johan Christoffersen. Together, they aim to reach an audience ready to discover this emerging Nordic talent who began writing her songs while immersing herself in the rhythms of jazz. In her own words, she shares her thoughts on the creative process: "I started writing music when studying at the Royal College in Stockholm's jazz program. But when the pandemic hit, I stopped writing for a while. It was like the air escaping me; I only wanted to be a sideman and play other people's music." As a result, the world began to find its new normal, enabling her to reconnect with her creative essence and channel it into her music.

During childhood, Agnes watched her sister play the trumpet in brass orchestras. Motivated by this image, her mother borrowed her grandfather's trombone when she was seven. Growing up in a community where music and orchestras were a shared treasure deeply shaped her into the musician she is today. Reflecting on her journey, she adds: "Maybe two years after the pandemic started, I began writing again for fun—small pieces, little by little, and reworks of older material, without any particular goal in mind. Then, all of a sudden, I felt very inspired and wanted to play my music. I formed the band; we had our first gig, and everyone in the group was so joyful and supportive. I got excited and decided to book a recording session, which led to the creation of RISE." The album invites listeners to immerse themselves in the fluid interplay of piano, double bass, drums, and trumpet, showcasing how the quintet continually pushes the boundaries of progression.

RISE is an open door to explore how Darelid transitions from sheet music to the expressive sounds of her voice. "I do some vocal pads on Anten. It's the only track where I wanted to add a different production flavor—not just instruments, but something else. The voice felt like a natural extension of the instruments." Anten is a lake in Sweden and a song inspired by the summers of her mother's youth. "I had this idea of creating a big soundscape, almost like you could see the whole ceiling, the trees, and the colors of the sky," Darelid explains. "I wanted to capture that in the sound, so I added some vocals, but I layered them with my trombone to create more of a brass choir effect. It's just an additional layer to the song." This subtle addition enriches the song's sonic depth, keeping the listener immersed in the soundscape.

Her creative journey can only be fully understood by examining the influence jazz has had on her musical approach. “This genre was an eye-opener, allowing me to contribute to music and create while playing rather than just performing notes from sheet music. It introduced me to a different way of playing that I hadn’t experienced before. In high school, I focused heavily on orchestral music; however, once I began improvising, I discovered the potential to bring something new to the music—something born from my creativity." In the present moment, Agnes treats the stage as a canvas, where she fully expresses her inner world, forging deep connections with the musicians who share it with her.

By translating her emotions and feelings into musical language, they evolve as they transition from one instrument to another: "I experiment with concepts, like how the chords or melodies move together. At times, I’ll record a piano idea and play along with it. Most of the time, I start with a reference point, whether it’s a groove, a feeling, or a specific musician. Sometimes, it’s a particular drum groove that inspires me to commit to that direction." The possibilities she finds when considering her band members are infinite, allowing her to plunge into different rhythms, styles, and layers. "When considering my band, for example, I might feel like a certain musician would add a unique color. That opens up new directions I wouldn’t instinctively go for, helping me expand my compositional choices. To grasp the full picture of the composition, I like to hear the harmonies and how the notes connect. The voice and the trombone are quite similar, so I keep my voice and trombone as connected as possible. If I can sing something, I can play it."

RISE by Agnes Darelid challenges the voices of those who claim there are no new musical proposals. Her deep connection with the trombone establishes her as an essential artist in the Nordic scene—one that demands to be listened to, analyzed, and felt. Each track presents fresh and deeply genuine music, unfolding layers of meaning that invite exploration. As the music plays, some questions arise: Why does this melody resonate so strongly with me? Can her feelings and mine intertwine despite the distance? And how will these songs come alive in a live performance? Only through repeated listening to the album will the answers to these questions reveal themselves.