The Carling Sisters are bringing their interpretation of trad jazz to the Birgit Nilsson Hall, Kulturhuset Ravinen on October 31 at 15:00. The quartet's repertoire draws inspiration from the music of the 1920s and 1930s, combining original compositions with selected classics and lesser-known pieces from jazz history. The distinctive instrumentation and harmonious singing give the group a sound characterized both by the traditions they build upon and by the musicians' individual personalities.
The band’s debut album, Walk in the Sun, was released in early summer 2026. The recording took place in Nerja, Spain, and features original material and selected classics as a tribute to New Orleans jazz. The recording reflects the group’s close interplay, playful improvisations, and personal approach to the style. The result is a studio portrait of a band whose repertoire brings together well-known traditions and their own music.
A Distinctive Quartet
The group’s instrumentation sets them apart. Nanna Carling plays soprano saxophone and sings, Linnea Carling plays banjo and sings, Petronella Carling plays trombone and sings, and Sigrid Abrahamsson plays double bass and sings. The combination places woodwinds, brass, strings, and voices at the center, with all four members contributing both as instrumentalists and vocalists.
This mix supports a repertoire that shifts between the group’s own compositions and established jazz numbers. The Carling Sisters do not treat trad jazz as a static historical document; instead, they infuse the material with their individual musical personalities. The ensemble’s focus emphasizes group interplay, improvisation, and a living connection to the music’s roots.
In recent years, the quartet has performed at many venues in Sweden and internationally. Among the festivals the group has appeared at are Göteborg Jazz Festival, Klädesholmens Jazzfestival, and Alingsås Jazzfestival in Sweden, as well as Jazz Capital Festival in Poland and Dixie- & Swingfestival in Austria. The band has also appeared on TV4’s entertainment program Talang.
The performances have brought the group to various festival settings, while their repertoire remains rooted in trad jazz and the musicians’ shared sound. The concert at Birgit Nilsson Hall offers the audience an opportunity to hear the quartet’s combination of original music and selected classics, performed by four musicians whose instruments and voices each contribute to the whole.
The Carling Sisters consist of Nanna Carling on soprano saxophone and vocals, Linnea Carling on banjo and vocals, Petronella Carling on trombone and vocals, and Sigrid Abrahamsson on double bass and vocals.
