Breaking Boundaries: Dan Berglund on the Evolution of Tonbruket and His Journey with E.S.T.

Interview

Dan Berglund, the Swedish bassist known for his work with the Esbjörn Svensson Trio (e.s.t.), has spent his career exploring new musical boundaries. Born in the small village of Pilgrimstad, Berglund’s unique style has evolved through various genres, including jazz, rock, and folk. After the untimely passing of Esbjörn Svensson in 2008, Berglund formed Tonbruket, a band that embraces a wide range of influences and creates music outside the traditional jazz sphere.

I first met Dan when e.s.t. performed at the Skopje Jazz Festival in 2006. I had the chance to greet the band backstage after their incredible performance, and even then, it was clear how much their music was about pushing boundaries and exploring new sounds. Later, in 2017, I caught up with Berglund again at the Gărâna Jazz Festival in Romania, where I traveled with the band from Belgrade. The camaraderie among the band members was evident, and it reflected their creative process.

Esbjörn Svensson Trio and me

Tonbruket, formed with guitarist Johan Lindström, keyboardist Martin Hederos, and drummer Andreas Werliin, came together in a time of uncertainty after e.s.t.’s end. The band didn’t have a set vision but allowed their influences and individual contributions to shape their sound. Tonbruket’s music blends rock, folk, classical, and jazz, with improvisation playing a key role. “Improvisation is at least 50% of what we do,” Berglund explained. The band’s spontaneous approach contrasts with structured compositions and is central to their process.

Berglund’s time with e.s.t. remains a major part of his legacy. “It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” he reflected. Through Tonbruket, Berglund continues to explore new creative territories, pushing the limits of genre and collaborating with musicians who share his vision for innovation.

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When you founded Tonbrucket, what was the initial idea for what the band would be? The players have different profiles, coming from varied backgrounds and sensibilities, rather than, say, e.s.t., which was primarily a classic jazz piano trio.

Dan: For me, it was like I wanted to do something else. I wanted to play more rock and explore something different from what I did with e.s.t.

I have known Johan, the guitar player, for a long time, and we decided to do something together. But we didn’t know what kind of music we would create. Still, we knew somehow that we were going to do something good together. Then we found Andreas and Martin.

I didn’t want to ask a jazz piano player or an ordinary jazz drummer to join us. We wanted to do something different, and it was perfect with Martin and Andreas. I think all four of us have always been involved in bands, projects, and producing music that pushes boundaries, working on the edge of some kind of genre.