Ilaria Capalbo

Italian bassist and composer Ilaria Capalbo has swiftly emerged as a rising star on both the Swedish and international jazz scenes. Based in Stockholm since 2019, Capalbo leads her own bands and collaborates with musicians worldwide. Known for her strong, visionary, and architectonic playing, she is equally adept at building hard-swinging lines and improvising across the full sound spectrum of her instrument. Her versatility extends beyond jazz; she is an accomplished composer for dance, film, and theatre, and a sound artist working with installation and performance. Capalbo has performed alongside luminaries like Norma Winstone, Camille Thurman, and Stefano di Battista, and has contributed to various notable ensembles and projects.

Capalbo’s debut album, “Karthago,” has received acclaim for its cohesive sound and emotional depth. Kevin Johnson of NO TREBLE praised her “rich bass tone, delicate touch, and thoughtful melodicism,” while Chris May of ALL ABOUT JAZZ lauded her music as a fresh and original delight. Her band features some of Sweden’s most creative musicians, including Andreas Hourdakis on guitar and Fredrik Rundqvist on drums, with Thomas Backman and Fredrik Nordström leading on reeds. Capalbo’s music, reminiscent of bass legend Charlie Haden, showcases her skills as both a musician and a bandleader, adept at assembling the right cast to tell compelling musical stories.