Fru Skagerrak

Elise Wessel Hildrum, fiddle
Maja Kjær Jacobsen, fiddle
Anna Linblad, fiddle

The music of Fru Skagerrak takes you on a journey through Scandinavian traditions, languages and musical expressions. Fru Skagerrak – ”Lady Skagerrak” –  are three master musicians, one from each Scandinavian country: Maja Kjær Jacobsen from Denmark, Elise Wessel Hildrum from Norway and Anna Lindblad from Sweden. The trio brings together the diverse traditions from each of their homelands, which surround the Skagerrak strait. Through a repertoire of traditional tunes, new compositions, and songs in their respective languages, they express their kinship and love of their shared heritage.

Anna Lindblad’s fiery fiddle playing is characterized by her love and understanding of Swedish traditional music and dance. Her music, always full of heart and rhythmic verve, is steeped in the traditions of her home region, and deeply informed by the fiddle repertoire of Québéc and Ireland, as well as Cajun and old-time music.

Anna became a Riksspelman at age 18, holds a master’s degree at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm, and is a founding member of Folk All-in Band, LYY, and Anna Lindblad Trio. She is frequently hired to play for dances and teaches fiddle both at home and abroad. She has performed and recorded with several folk and pop stars and is known for her distinctive playing and ability to show deep joy through her music.

Elise Wessel Hildrum’s airy fiddle playing is a result of her being a recorder player, one of the few in the Norwegian folk music scene. She grew up playing mostly classical music, but discovered the world of folk music, and thereby fiddle playing, at the age of 20, and has never looked back. Through studies in Norway, Sweden and the UK, and touring around the world, she has been able to incorporate many elements from different fiddle styles into her flute playing.

Elise is twice winner of the flute category in the national folk music competition (Landskappleiken). She holds a degree in folk music from the Norwegian Academy of Music. She works as a touring musician and instrumental teacher, specializing in adult beginners on recorder and fiddle.

Maja Kjær Jacobsen’s earthy fiddle playing carries a strength that’s both captivating and unyielding. Maja is a fiddler, singer, composer, and a cultural entrepreneur specializing in the music and singing traditions from her home region of Central Jutland, which colours her fiddle and singing style greatly. She has been nominated three times for a Danish Music Awards Folk/Roots, toured worldwide, and has a versatile presence on the Danish music scene.

Maja is a founding member of Maskineri, Maja & David, and Maja Kjær si Orkrester, which presents Majas original compositions and arrangements. She holds a Masters Degree from the Danish Academy of Music in Odense, and soon an advanced post graduate degree as a Contemporary Creative Artist.