Jacob Karlzon, piano (born 1970 in Jönköping, Sweden) has established himself as one of Sweden's most personal and skilful pianists. He has a highly-developed touch and a technique that is impressive, and he has been favourably compared to pianists such as Keith Jarrett, Bill Evans and Jan Johansson.
After completing studies at the Malmö Academy of Music/Lund University he was soon engaged in a large variety of groups and projects. He has worked with such well known names as Billy Cobham, Bob Berg, Kenny Wheeler, Tim Hagans, Jeff Ballard, Norma Winstone, Viktoria Tolstoy, Caecilie Norby, Nils Landgren, Silje Nergaard, Rigmor Gustafsson, Lina Nyberg, Trine-Lise Vaering, Anders Bergcrantz, Fredrik Lundin, Cennet Jönsson, Tomas Franck, Putte Wickman among others. Jacob Karlzon is also a regular member of Tolvan Big Band. He composes and make arrangements for Viktoria Tolstoy's quartet in which he has been a member since 1999. The Quintet "Jacob Karlzon Big5" has existed since 2001 and has performed internationally at festivals and clubs. As a band conductor Karlzon has released four CD:s.
He has recently run a recording project together with the sought-after bass player Morten Ramsbol. Also as members in the group are the eminent drummer Jeff Ballard (Brad Mehldau Trio, Chick Corea, Joshua Redman, Ray Charles) and one of Denmarks most prominent saxophone players Hans Ulrik. The CD "Human Factor" is a collection of both new and non-recorded compositions by the group members, and was released in April 2005 for the Danish record company Music Mecca. In May 2007 Jacob Karlzon recorded a solo album (Caprice) with free improvisations.