”Swedish Jazz Standards” is a project close to my heart—a musical bridge between Sweden and the United States. I grew up with these melodies in Swedish, songs that have always been part of our culture. Later, living and working in the U.S., I came to know them again through the American jazz tradition—recognizing how deeply connected these worlds truly are.
With this project, I return to those songs in my own language, bringing Swedish lyrics and phrasing back into some of the most timeless jazz standards. It’s about honoring the legacy of Swedish jazz—especially the voices and writers who shaped it—while sharing that story with a wider, international audience.
Together with world-renowned guitarist Ulf Wakenius and produced by Roy Orbison Jr., we’ve created new arrangements that let the music breathe—where heritage, storytelling, and jazz meet.
For me, this is both a homecoming and a continuation. Letting the jazz speak Swedish. 🇸🇪💛
- Åsa Orbison
Pre-save now - first single drops April 23rd! 🇸🇪
The video is directed and produced by Jaala Ruffman and Michael Easterling who describe the vision. “We were inspired by the timeless charm of the song itself. ’Love Is Strange’ has a romantic feel, it’s playful and even a little mischievous. We wanted to honor that while giving it a fresh, cinematic twist.
From the start, we imagined something that felt like a vintage throwback, but with a dreamy, surreal edge. We leaned into a retro color palette, soft pastels, warmer muted tones with accents of gold, aiming for that old Hollywood meets Americana vibe. Timeless, nostalgic and slightly offbeat. For the narrative we envisioned glimpses of a love story unfolding like a daydream. It’s totally romantic.”
“Working with Åsa and Roy Jr. was a dream,” continues the production duo. ”They came in with such genuine chemistry, of course, and natural charm. Åsa has this magnetic energy that comes across beautifully on camera. She turns it on, and you’re like, ’wow, she’s not a mom of four anymore, she’s a star.’ She brings both vulnerability and fire to every frame.”
Easterling and Ruffman, also a couple, began their careers writing and directing music videos and short films, and then founded TalkBoy TV. In 2015, Huff Post named them a “Dynamic Duo on the Rise”; in 2018, The Malibu Film Festival selected their short film “Album”; the LA Shorts Film Festival selected “Grow Up” the same year, as did The Beverly Hills Film Festival the following year. Their most recent and feature directorial debut ”Deltopia” is executive produced by the late Olivia Newton-John and can be seen on Apple TV.
Guitars - Åsa plays a 1960’s green Gretsch that was Barbara Orbison’s personal guitar. Barbara gave it to Roy Jr. for his birthday, which he then gave to Åsa when she recorded her debut album. Roy Jr. plays a black Epiphone.
Åsa Orbison, native of Sweden, went to music school as a child and took up music again when she started working with her husband Roy Orbison Jr.
Åsa received a platinum record award for back up vocals on her father-in-law, Roy Orbison’s ‘Unchained Melodies” 2019.
The “Blue Bayou” album is Åsa’s first album & was recorded at Roy Orbison Jr’s ”Pretty Woman Studio”, Jack Clement’s “The Cowboy Arms Hotel And Recording Spa”, Wayne Moss’ “Cinderella Studio”.
Produced by Roy Orbison Jr.
Engineered by Luke Chalk. MIixed by Cameron Davidson. Mastered by Richard Dodd.
Vocals: Åsa Orbison
Guitar: Roy Orbison Jr
Piano: Bruce Dudley
Bass: James Furgeson
Drums: Josh hunt
’Blue Bayou’” is Åsa Orbison’s debut song & first single from her 2024 album of the same name, “Blue Bayou”. Roy Orbison Jr rearranged the hit song written in 1963 by his father, Roy Orbison (and famously covered by Linda Ronstadt in 1977). Åsa gives Blue Bayou an updated jazzy feel with a Scandinavian touch.
Accompanied by Mr Harmonica, Charlie McCoy who played on the original “Blue Bayou” & part-time Traveling Wilbury, Jim Horn, on saxophone & a stellar jazz quartet lead by Roy Orbison Jr on guitar. Bruce Dudley on piano, James Ferguson on bass and Josh Hunt on drums. Featuring special guest & family friend, Ana Cristina Cash, on background vocals.
For more visit
Youtube: /channel/UCvzFDCij88lzZPCbEDHMa1w
Waking up to another album review from the UK @anrfactory - voted top 10 music industry blog. I know it’s a long text but I have to just copy and paste it here because I simply can’t believe my Swedish Jazz album gets these reviews from all around the world. 🥹🇸🇪🙏 thank you thank you!
“Far dreamier than Ella Fitzgerald’s iteration, Åsa Orbison ensured her reverie-rich harmonic timbre gave the score, which has been inspiring the jazz scene since the 50s, a euphonic sense of grace, vivacious sublimity, romantic Euro jazz passion, and instrumental phrasing which almost feels fantastical in the serenity of its ease and diaphanous intricacy.
There is an unforced elegance to the way Åsa Orbison moves through the standard, letting the melody float with intimate poise while Ulf Wakenius threads luminous guitar phrasing through the arrangement with painterly finesse. The classic shimmers with a timeless glow under the branding of a distinctly personal stamp, shaped by a Swedish-American vocalist whose artistry bridges European jazz heritage and the American songbook.
Working closely with Roy Orbison Jr, she brought a sense of care and refinement that honours the standard while letting it breathe with fresh colour and feeling. The same can be said for the rest of her latest album, Swedish Jazz Standards, which is set to take the jazz scene by storm once it lands on June 2nd.”
Swedish-American jazz vocalist, artist, and songwriter Åsa Orbison intertwines gentle instrumentals with honeyed vocals on “Lullaby of Birdland,” offering an enchanting peek at her upcoming project, Swedish Jazz Standards.’
Read our review here - /2026/05/07/asa-orbison-shares-graceful-yet-groovy-single-lullaby-of-birdland/
#musicreviews #jazz #newmusic
Backed by Ulf Wakenius on guitar and produced by Roy Orbison Jr., Åsa Orbison transforms “Lullaby of Birdland” into a modern jazz statement rooted in restraint and emotion.
Read more at buzz-music.com
Introducing to you Ulf Wakenius with our first collaboration on the album “Swedish Jazz Standards” - Lullaby Of Birdland! ⭐️ Listen to this guitar!!!
It is a dream to be working with Ulf. Between 1997 and 2007 he held what may have been the most prestigious spot in jazz for a guitarist: a chair in the Oscar Peterson Quartet. Following in the footsteps of Joe Pass.
Oscar Peterson has publicly described Ulf as one of the greatest guitarists alive in the world today and many of today’s most acclaimed jazz guitarists are among Ulf’s fans, including Pat Metheny, John McLaughlin, John Scofield and Mike Stern.
He has performed and recorded with, Pat Metheny, Herbie Hancock, Michael Brecker, Ray Brown, Jack DeJohnette, Jim Hall, Milt Jackson, Joe Henderson, Johnny Griffin, Benny Golson, Phil Woods, Clark Terry, Max Roach, Toots Thielemans, Michel Legrand, Kenny Kirkland, Hank Jones, Kenny Barron, James Moody, Jimmy Cobb, Bobby Hutcherson, Chris Potter, Bill Evans, Randy Brecker, Bob Berg, Mike Stern, Bireli Lagrene, Larry Coryell, Philip Catherine… and now with me and Roy! 🫠
The song “Lullaby of Birdland” is one of the defining jazz standards of the 1950s, composed by George Shearing with lyrics by George David Weiss. Named after the legendary New York club Birdland, the song reflects the elegance and cool sophistication of the bebop era. Its flowing melody and rich harmonies create an intimate, nocturnal atmosphere that has captivated listeners for decades.
The Swedish jazz icon Alice Babs brought “Lullaby of Birdland” into a Scandinavian context through her interpretation with Swedish lyrics, in 1955.
“Swedish Jazz Standards” started back in Stockholm in my apartment. Roy came to visit and I’d be at work most of the day. I didn’t have a TV in my home and he found my old guitar and started to get into jazz. By the time I got back from work he could play most American jazz standards and I sang along with the Swedish lyrics I grew up with. That’s when we realized a lot of jazz standards have a Swedish story not many know of - atleast not outside of Sweden. We’re so excited to tell the story and share our new arrangements of these songs and stoked to have Ilf Wakenius (from the Oscar Peterson quartet) on it! 💛
