TLEQ
TLEQ is a group of award-winning jazz musicians known for their nuanced, textural sound where Nordic tones blend seamlessly with global influences. With performances in countries like India, Germany, and Norway, and a nomination for Jazz of the Year at the 2024 Manifest Gala, they’ve steadily built a presence on the Nordic jazz scene.
Their modern jazz music unfolds as a rich palette of sound—where grooving rhythms, folk-inspired melodies, raw intensity, and cinematic soundscapes meet delicate, lyrical moments. Often described by audiences as both poetic and radical, the music invites listeners into a world that is as emotionally nuanced as it is boldly expressive. Each musician brings a personal voice to the moment, making every concert a unique experience shaped by spontaneity and a shared foundation in the written music. From bursts of raw energy to fragile, whispering tones, the music moves between extremes with emotional depth. At the heart of TLEQ’s sound are the fearless compositions of Terese Lien Evenstad (violin) and Alexander Ivarsson (clarinet), now joined by contributions from other members that further enrich the group’s voice. Their latest album Movement, released on the German label Berthold Records, was warmly received. A new album release is planned for 2026.
With a distinctive voice on the jazz violin, Terese Lien Evenstad continues to carve out her own path as both performer and composer. Recognized as one of Northern Europe’s leading jazz violinists, her playing is marked by curiosity, sensitivity, and a fearless approach to improvisation—qualities that have established her as a unique presence on the Nordic jazz scene.
”When Terese Lien Evenstad’s violin playfully navigates the chord progressions of the jazz tradition, it might catch us off guard—improvised violin is rare in the genre. Yet, her skill and fearless musicality have earned her national recognition. Whether performing with others or leading her own quintet, her sound is not just fresh and exciting; it’s downright addictive.”
– Scholarship Statement, Västra Götaland Region
TERESE LIEN EVENSTAD was born in Norway and is the first jazz violinist in history to graduate from the Bachelor’s Program in Jazz-Performance at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm. Her music and performances have led to a nomination in the prestigious jazz prize of Jazzkatten in the category ”Newcomer of the year 2018” which is awarded by the Swedish national radio P2. She was also awarded the ”Louis Armstrong-scholarship” in 2018 with the motivation: ”She has given the violin a new face within jazz”. Terese has also been honored to perform her music with ”Bohuslän Big Band”, one of the most well known big bands in Sweden. She was invited to their project called ”Up-and-coming artists 2019”, where they present young musicians who have made a name for themselves in the Swedish jazz society. In 2019 she was nominated for the concert series ”Young Swedish Soloist 2019” produced by Scenkonst Sörmland and awarded the ”J: son Scholarship” by Janne Schaffer and the Jury.
FABIAN KALLERDAHL is a musical powerhouse from Gothenburg, Sweden. His energetic, rhythmic, and impulsive way of playing and composing made him an essential figure in Swedish jazz. Kallerdahl has been awarded the prestigious ”Jazz in Sweden” award and is known for his work with the piano trio Musicmusicmusic, with whom he has performed worldwide and released ten albums.
ARVID JULLANDER from Gothenburg, Sweden, is one of the most interesting and upcoming bassists in Sweden. He has played with top musicians from all over the world. Chosen as one out of three bassists to the ”Betty Carters Jazz Ahead” program, he got to work with Jason Moran, Eric Harland, Carmen Lundy, and Eric Revis, among many others. After studying at The Royal College of Music in Stockholm, he is now one of the hardest working musicians in the city. In August 2018 he was awarded the ”Monica Zetterlund” award, which is given out to one young up and coming jazz musician every year.
JOHAN BIRGENIUS is a versatile yet highly profiled musician known for his nuances and energetic outbursts. He regularly plays on the international scene with various bands and projects and always works for the collective to sound as good as possible.
ALEXANDER IVARSSON is a Swedish musician based in Gothenburg, Sweden. He’s influenced by a wide variety of musical genres but the one that he holds dearest to his heart is bebop. With influences like “Stan” Åke Hasselgård, Buddy Defranco, Ken Peplowski, Putte Wickman, Tony Scott amongst others, Alexander has created his own sound. It’s a combination of strict bebop lines and more impulsive modern language. Alexander has been playing the clarinet since he was 8 years old and has played concerts with musicians such as; Per “Texas” Johansson, Fredrik Ljungkvist, Peter Asplund, Jojje Wadenius, Victoria Tolstoy, Tina Ahlin, Nils Landgren and many others.
