Facts: Babben Larsson
Born: 1956 on Gotland.
Current: With the jazz record “Vägen hem” which will be released on July 29 and as host of “Summer in P1” on 5/8.
Background: Graduated from Theater College in 1980, but had his big breakthrough as a stand-up comedian in 1988 and appeared in the television program “Släng dig i brunnen”.
In recent years, has appeared in programs such as “Parliament” and as host for “Bäst i test” and “1 mot Sverige”.
This spring, when “Bäst i test” is back, it will be broadcast on TV4 instead of SVT.
The channel change means that the upcoming season of SVT’s “1 against Sweden”, which will be broadcast this autumn, will be the last for Babben Larsson. Neither SVT nor TV4 allow you to work for several channels at the same time.
On July 29, Babben Larsson, together with the musicians of the quintet Second Edition, will release the jazz album “Vägen hem” which consists of interpretations of already composed melodies. Several of the texts have been written by Babben Larsson himself and they deal with breakups, infidelity and nostalgic memories. It is not necessarily self-experienced, in most cases she has started from the original English text.
— Jazz is not lightning fast. It encourages to be more “mellow”. I have started from what was in the melody before, she says.
On “Vägen hem” there are also texts by, for example, Gustaf Fröding and the music is written by, among others, Gotland Lars Gullin – the composer and jazz musician who lived between 1928 and 1976.
“Usually, Lars Gullin is a little messier than the jazz I myself prefer,” says Babben Larsson, who likes jazz that borders on folk songs.
It was also on the island that she made contact with the album’s producer Micke Lyander. They have known each other for a long time – “showbiz on Gotland is not very big”, says Babben Larsson.
Second Edition consists of Babben Larsson himself as well as Peter Nilsbo, Anders Johnson, Andreas Habo and Peter Fredman. Press image. The music has followed for a long time
Although she has mostly had a career as a comedian and presenter, music is not new to her life. She has been playing instruments and performing since she was a child, arranging cabarets and having the band 3a with Pantry. In 2005, the album “Babben by night” – also jazz – was released together with the Sonora Big Band.
Still, the upcoming record release is unnerving.
— I feel comfortable and have shown my music before, but this is on a completely different level.
Babben Larsson’s goal has been to let jazz take a bigger place in her professional life, and the album is part of making people aware that she has a band. Archive image.
Combining humor and music in the future is not impossible.
— Jazz and stand-up go well together. You start from a theme, but improvise based on it when you get a feeling. Those genres are close to each other.
According to Babben Larsson, the people within the genres – i.e. comedians and musicians – are also the same.
— There is a fun jargon and they are easy to follow. Between actors and musicians I would say there is a bigger difference. Musicians are set to work together, while actors can be in their own bubble.
No tour planned
The album release on July 29 will be celebrated with a concert in Visby, but a tour will have to wait.
— It is possible that the record needs some time to find its audience and by the fall I am already so fully booked that there is no gap.
One of the things that will occupy her time in the future is the upcoming recording of the game show “Bäst i test” which she does together with the comedian David Sundin.
David Sundin and Babben Larsson have been presenters of “Bäst i test” since 2017. In 2020, they received a Crystal for the program. Stock image. Continued with “Best in Test”
Last spring, the news came that the program, after seven seasons, is moving to TV4 from SVT.
— The biggest difference will probably be for the viewers as it will be an advertising shock now. David and I continue in the same spirit as we have done for seven years. There is a great sense of security between us, says Babben Larsson and continues:
– We have a lot of fun and that was what weighed in my decision to leave SVT, which I have been faithful to for so many years. I simply felt that I couldn’t bear to see someone else sitting there with David, laughs Babben Larsson.
TT: Will there be any changes in the program?
— There will be some news, but no decisive change compared to what the audience is used to, replies Babben Larsson, who cannot go into any details about the changes.
TT: Do you think that is the audience that will find the album “The way home” – or are you now getting a new audience with the jazz?
— I don’t know, that’s what’s exciting. There will probably be some who follow me on social media who will be curious about the plate. But it’s uncharted territory when you’re doing something new, it’s possible I’ll find a new audience.