Written interview with double bassist and composer Jon Henriksson – Shapeshifter.
Jazz Blues European Union: – Thank you for taking the time to have this interview with Jazz Blues EU. Tell us about your music. When did you start performing?
Jon Henriksson: – Hello! Delighted to get the opportunity!
My name is Jon Henriksson and I am a bass player and a composer from Sweden. I started out on the piano when I was around 7 years old. My father is a saxophonist and my older brother plays trumpet, both with a big love for jazz and black American music so there was always a lot of music in our home. When I was around 14 I started to move more towards guitar and eventually bass in high school when I began to explore the world of improvisation!
What do you consider to be your hometown and how does that affect your music?
I’m from Gothenburg in the west coast of Sweden. When I started playing more seriously in my high school years I quickly got to be a part of the small but vibrant jazz scene in town and improved a lot by playing with older musicians. The jam sessions at the legendary jazz club Nefertiti were a crucial part in my own musical development and introduced me to the art of improvising in a group which grew my love and excitement for the artform even more.
What performers have been your inspiration?
I grew up listening to my fathers records such as music by John Coltrane, Herbie Hancock, Pat Metheny, Stevie Wonder, Earth Wind & Fire amongst others. As I continued on my own musical path I’ve grown a deep love for the music of Kurt Rosenwinkel, Wayne Shorter, Toninho Horta, Milton Nascimento to name a few. They all have inspired me deeply in my playing and composing.
What do you find most challenging about being an independent artist in today’s music industry?
I would say that the amount of responsibilities and the different aspects of being a bandleader sometimes can be a bit overwhelming. It can feel like you simply don’t have the time or money to accomplish all the things you aim for, especially not when being your own as a freelance musician jumping from one job to another. It really is a balancing act.
What do you base your success on?
That I am lucky enough to collaborate and play with musicians and friends that inspire me every time. I think it has been important for me to be honest with myself about what kind of environment I want to be in and to build a foundation for a musicianship that is close to my heart, but I couldn’t have done it without all the amazing musicians I have had the pleasure of playing with up until today.
Can you talk about your experiences collaborating with other artists or musicians? How does it influence your creative process?
I feel like I learn something about life and music from every musician I play with and it’s interesting to hear how people go about living the life as a musician, if it’s about composing, practicing, learning or listening to new music, or even how they cook their favorite food or what they like to do in their free-time.
It’s both very giving to play with musicians that you have played a lot with, for example with many of my friends such as Britta Virves, Jonas Bäckman, Rasmus Sørensen, Pelle von Bulow and Karl-Martin Almqvist, as each time you play you grow as a group and it almost feels like you get to know each other more for each time, which is the beauty of a long term relationship. And on the other hand, playing with musicians for the first time is also a very giving part since being a jazz musician means playing in a lot of different constellations and bands all the time, which also can be a bit intense and tough sometimes.
Back in April this year I had the privilege to work with the pianist and composer Aaron Parks together with a Swedish big band called Bohuslän Big Band conducted by Miho Hazama. Playing and being around Aaron for a week was truly an eye (and ear) opening experience. Not only his playing but his musical values and what it means for him to play with other human beings. The openness and present focus he brings to each situation was very impactful on me and is something I will carry with me for the rest of my life.
What was your latest musical release?
I released my second album in March of 2026 on the Danish record label April Records. It is called ’Shapeshifter’ and features some of my absolute favorite musicians and people: Karl-Martin Almqvist on tenor sax, Rasmus Sørensen on piano, Pelle von Bülow on guitar and Jonas Bäckman on drums.
Do you have any news to share? Could you share the story behind your latest new CD JON HENRIKSSON – Shapeshifter what inspired its creation?
At the moment I’m planning to record my next album in the fall of 2026 which hopefully will be released in the spring of 2027 and which I aim to sing on even more than on my previous album. So that feels exciting!
The creation of my latest album Shapeshifter started during the winter of 2024/2025 when I got diagnosed with a disease that made it impossible for me to play live for a while. That period turned out to be an insightful and life-changing time but also very productive. I wrote a lot of music during those months and when I thought about how I wanted to bring it together there was no doubt who I was going to ask. So when I then called the bandmembers and booked the studio I got into another phase of the composing where it was more about shaping my ideas into something that would give the musicians space to let their personalities form the music.
Another idea with the album was to have the songs on the album to differ quite a lot in mood and vibe from one another, mainly because I find that to be refreshing when I’m listening to other people’s albums, jazz albums in particular, but also because I feel that that would be true to my own musical spirit which I feel has a lot of different sides.
How does your latest album fit into your creative path? Is this a goal you wanted to achieve?
I love composing music and playing it with musicians I admire. The process of composing the music for the album and then recording it all felt very natural since it is what I really want to do – and continue to learn from doing.
How do you approach the process of songwriting, and are there any specific themes or emotions you tend to explore in your music?
I spend a lot of time sitting by the piano or guitar searching for sounds and chord progressions that I find beautiful. And then I usually try to sing a melody, through singing I feel closer to the music and more able to express my feelings. For me, composing is like a meditation, where prestige and “do’s and dont’s” are almost completely absent. I think that I’ve noticed a pattern where I tend to compose more when I’m going through some kind of emotional turbulence. For me it is really a vessel of getting the feelings in my body out into something that is stimulating for me.
As an indie musician, how do you navigate the balance between creative freedom and commercial appeal?
It can sometimes be hard to focus on the things unrelated to the actual creative process when organizing a band. But I don’t think too much about that when I’m in the process. I want to make something true to myself and if I feel that I accomplish that and people like it, there’s not really anything to worry about.
What role does technology and social media play in promoting your music and connecting with your audience?
Besides posting material on social media of my band and different other projects I am a part of, I sometimes post song-ideas that I’m excited about. Sometimes those ideas take form into actual songs that we then play live, which I have noticed many people are appreciating. I want my digital presence to be as representative of myself as possible. And of course it is a great and easy way to reach out to people and let them know about what is happening which really can make a difference.
Could you describe a memorable live performance experience or tour that has had a lasting impact on you and your music?
The release tour of my album Shapeshifter that took place in May earlier this year was an unforgettable experience. The band felt like a family right away when we first met up before the first gig. We had such a great time both on and off the bandstand throughout the whole tour. The concert we did at Nefertiti in Gothenburg (where it all started for me) was of course a little extra special, both to have friends and family in the audience but also sharing the stage with my favorite people and musicians. The music felt particularly alive and playful that night.
In an era of streaming platforms, how do you feel about the changing landscape of music consumption and its impact on independent musicians?
It scares me that the big platforms (with all their algorithms) create a type of monopoly where the big companies, artists and producers are seen and heard on a much wider range than independent smaller artists. Though I find comfort in that the strongest quality of jazz is that it is best experienced live, which is also the meaning of the music; To connect people and make them feel! But there are serious issues with the big platforms but as long as enough people make the noise against the injustice people will follow.
Musicians often have a close relationship with their fanbase. How do you engage with your fans and build a dedicated community around your music?
I want to write new music and play as much live as possible, and of course meet new people! I really believe that that is the number one way to build a fanbase, to engage with people in real life and hopefully affect them with your music.
How can fans find you? Lastly, please share some final words with the fans.
My latest two albums (Harmonia and Shapeshifter) are on all the platforms and available for purchase on my bandcamp page. I have an Instagram page named “diskbengt” where I share everything of significance (and also of insignificance). Or if you want to contact me via email my address is: jonhenrikssonmusic@gmail.com.
I am very happy and grateful for all the people taking the time to listen and even purchasing my music. Having made even one person feel good listening to my music means the world to me!
By Olivia Peevas
