Tambourine

Jens Linell is one of the leading percussionists in the Nordic folk music scenes of today. He has dedicated himself to the art of being a melody player on drums, and also bring in elements from jazz, rock and free improvised music.

”I want to step out of the role as a drummer, the timekeeper, and to just follow the melody - wherever it goes”.

The first thing you'll notice is the fact that he plays mostly with his hands: smashing cymbals, softly caressing the snare, or banging the tambourine. Starting out as a punk drummer the standard kit is also a dear old friend, whilst trying to keep the energy and forward push of punk-rock-playing in an improvised or folk musical setting.

The tambourine has been Jens way into the dance melodies of Sweden & Norway as well as other styles. He started playing tambourine for Björn Tollin, a founding member of Hedningarna, in 2002 and has taken the technique and style to new dimensions but with the same melodic focus as Björn had.

Jens has opened new doors with SVER, touring the USA & Canada, on the youth radio charts with Snakka San & SVER and at jazz festivals with Trondheim Jazz Orchestra. He does solo concerts as well as being part of Mæd Luggumt, GKN5, and Triller.

www.jenslinell.com
www.sverfolk.com
www.maedluggumt.com

Interview with Jens Linell

Learn about Jens's musical background and what folk music means to Jens.

Jens's' courses

The best online
platform for
Folk Music!

On the Folk Music Academy, you will be able to learn folk music in online video masterclasses taught by some of the best traditional musicians around.

Other teachers