Kjell-Erik Eriksson has lived in Jämtland all of his life. Born in 1971, he grew up in Offerdal and now lives with his family in Aspås, both in Krokoms, the kommun (municipality) just northwest of Östersund. He comes from a musical family and began playing violin as a child. From an early age he came into contact with local fiddlers in Offerdal and learned Lapp-Nils tunes in the still-existing living tradition. At Birka folkschool in 1989 he was a founding member of the folk/rock fusion group Hoven Droven and in 1994 started the group TRIAKEL. Work with these two groups keeps Kjell-Erik touring throughout the world. He appears in several Giga collections, including the 2001 solo CD "Offerdal Tunes" where Lapp Nils tunes are featured. He is widely sought (and by all accounts wildly appreciated!) as a teacher and has shared his tunes at the Malung folkschool and the Föllinge Week and now teaches at Birka folkschool in the new yearlong folkmusic course and other classes. Kjell-Erik is a full-time professional musician working both as a performer and as an educator.
From a review in Svenska Dagbladet: "The archetpypic tunes give support and security and Eriksson catches them with a nerve and style that is irrestible, varied and rich in contrast, but balanced."
photo provided by the artist
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