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Yttling Jazz
Björn released his first album as Yttling Jazz in 2005. Twenty years later, in the autumn of 2025, he finally followed it up with “Illegal Hit”, recorded with some of Sweden’s finest jazz musicians, including Dan Berglund, Magnus Lindgren, Goran Kajfeš and Jonas Kullhammar. The album brings together Björn’s background as a jazz musician and the distinctive musical voice he has developed as a songwriter and producer. His inspirations range from Brian Eno, film composer Nino Rota and Jean-Michel Jarre to Charles Mingus and Thelonious Monk, as well as Jan Johansson’s classic album “Jazz på svenska”. “Illegal Hit” went on to win the 2026 Swedish Grammy for Jazz Album of the Year.
The Swedish Grammy jury wrote:
“Björn Yttling has previously made a name for himself as a songwriter and producer at the highest international level. But it is with his return to his jazz roots that he finally takes home his first Grammy of his own. For their courage in completely breaking with jazz conventions, Björn and Yttling Jazz win Jazz Album of the Year with ‘Illegal Hit’.”
Björn Yttling is best known for his work in the alternative and indie world. He co-wrote and produced Lykke Li’s first three albums, later returning to produce her acclaimed fifth album in 2022. Among the many other artists he has worked with are Chrissie Hynde and The Pretenders, Tom Odell, Franz Ferdinand, Primal Scream, First Aid Kit, Robyn, Weezer, David Lynch, The Hives and Anna Ternheim.
More recently, Yttling Jazz teamed up with Håkan Hellström to release a new version of “Fånga vågen”, from Hellström’s latest album.
In autumn 2026, Yttling Jazz are the house band on Swedish television quiz show “På spåret”, while also heading out on tour. Since 12 September, their sold-out and acclaimed concert at Slaktkyrkan during last year’s Stockholm Jazz Festival has also been available to watch on SVT and SVT Play.
“Yttling proves that jazz is neither boring nor difficult. A teaspoon of Morricone, a pinch of Mingus, a touch of Ellington, a few drops of 1950s exotica… By the encores, the wildly riffing ‘Mr Sophistication at The Losers’ Club’ brings the audience close to ecstasy.” (DN)
“Groovy, big, cool, funky. Björn Yttling’s combination of windswept folk melodies reminiscent of Jan Johansson and cinematic jazz steeped in the 1960s is strange – and remarkably effective.” (Lira)
Björn released his first album as Yttling Jazz in 2005. Twenty years later, in the autumn of 2025, he finally followed it up with “Illegal Hit”, recorded with some of Sweden’s finest jazz musicians, including Dan Berglund, Magnus Lindgren, Goran Kajfeš and Jonas Kullhammar. The album brings together Björn’s background as a jazz musician and the distinctive musical voice he has developed as a songwriter and producer. His inspirations range from Brian Eno, film composer Nino Rota and Jean-Michel Jarre to Charles Mingus and Thelonious Monk, as well as Jan Johansson’s classic album “Jazz på svenska”. “Illegal Hit” went on to win the 2026 Swedish Grammy for Jazz Album of the Year.
The Swedish Grammy jury wrote:
“Björn Yttling has previously made a name for himself as a songwriter and producer at the highest international level. But it is with his return to his jazz roots that he finally takes home his first Grammy of his own. For their courage in completely breaking with jazz conventions, Björn and Yttling Jazz win Jazz Album of the Year with ‘Illegal Hit’.”
Björn Yttling is best known for his work in the alternative and indie world. He co-wrote and produced Lykke Li’s first three albums, later returning to produce her acclaimed fifth album in 2022. Among the many other artists he has worked with are Chrissie Hynde and The Pretenders, Tom Odell, Franz Ferdinand, Primal Scream, First Aid Kit, Robyn, Weezer, David Lynch, The Hives and Anna Ternheim.
More recently, Yttling Jazz teamed up with Håkan Hellström to release a new version of “Fånga vågen”, from Hellström’s latest album.
In autumn 2026, Yttling Jazz are the house band on Swedish television quiz show “På spåret”, while also heading out on tour. Since 12 September, their sold-out and acclaimed concert at Slaktkyrkan during last year’s Stockholm Jazz Festival has also been available to watch on SVT and SVT Play.
“Yttling proves that jazz is neither boring nor difficult. A teaspoon of Morricone, a pinch of Mingus, a touch of Ellington, a few drops of 1950s exotica… By the encores, the wildly riffing ‘Mr Sophistication at The Losers’ Club’ brings the audience close to ecstasy.” (DN)
“Groovy, big, cool, funky. Björn Yttling’s combination of windswept folk melodies reminiscent of Jan Johansson and cinematic jazz steeped in the 1960s is strange – and remarkably effective.” (Lira)