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Concerts: IB Expo 08 - Date Set, Tickets Available Now, First Guest Revealed

Posted on Sunday, September 07 @ 05:44:19 UTC by nightowl

"We are very proud to announce IB Expo 08! This year's concert will take place at Kulturhuset in Halmstad on Saturday, November 8, 2008," announces Isildurs Bane. "I [Thomas Olson, newsletter editor] strongly recommend you to get a ticket while you can. This is not a way of trying to get trick you into buying a ticket, just helpful advice. Last year's tickets sold out before we had started advertising and before a single poster was up.

"Seats are very limited and we expect to see a full house, just like in all previous years. Tickets go on sale on Monday, September 1 (which is probably when most of you read this [oops -ed.]) and readers of this newsletter get the news first, hence are able to buy tickets before anyone else who will find out from other sources.

"Tickets are 195 Swedish kronor, which amounts to approximately 30 US Dollars or 22 Euros. Get your tickets from Biljettcentrum in Halmstad by phoning them on 035 12 02 00. Add the prefix for Sweden and delete the first zero if you phone from abroad.

"So, who ? apart from IB ? will be performing this year? Good question. The participants will be revealed one by one each week in September, starting now, when we are proud to welcome ... Janne Schaffer! [Bio follows]



"A legend in Swedish musical life, guitarist Janne Schaffer has in all likelyhood played with more more heavyweight musicians within the field of popular music than any other Swedish musician.

"As it happens, IB Expo 08 marks the 20th anniversary of the Cheval album, which Janne Schaffer contributed to extensively both as a guitarist and as a producer. Since then, he has collaborated with IB on many occasions ? not least when IB played with the Ume? Symphony Orchestra ? and has appeared on The Voyage, MIND Vol. 1 and MIND Vol. 2 as a guest musician. Schaffer meant a lot to IB when the band started working in an acoustic symphonic direction and his attention to details has rubbed off on us, without a doubt.

Starting his career as a professional musician in the sixties, Schaffer caused a stir with several bands he was a part of. In 1970, Janne Schaffer started working as a session guitarist. Very soon, he became the most sought after guitarist on the Swedish scene working on sessions, radio and TV appearances with ABBA, Cornelis Vreeswiljk, Ted G?rdestad, Barbro H?rberg, Bob Marley, Tina Turner, Todd Rundgren, Frank Zappa as well as jazz luminaries Carla Bley, Art Farmer, Stan Getz, Maynard Ferguson, Dexter Gordon, George Duke, Alphonso Johnson, Billy Cobham and Tony Williams.

"In '73 he recorded his first solo album and much to Schaffer?s own surprise, the album hit the top charts despite the non-commersial instrumental music. Following the release of his debut solo album, Schaffer formed the group H?rselmat/Earmeal with IB friend and associate Bj?rn J:son Lindh. From then on, Schaffer and J:son Lindh have performed regularly ever since.

"For the rest of the seventies, Schaffer continued releasing successful instrumental albums best described as top class fusion with a very strong melodic sensibility. You will find the cream of crop of Swedish musicians on these albums, but also appearances from Pete Robinson, John 'Rabbit' Bundrick, Steve Porcaro, Mike Porcaro, Joe Porcaro and the late Jeff Porcaro.

"In '76 a band called Electric Banana Band was formed to make music for a Swedish TV show for children called Trazan & Banarne. Even today, the show and the band remains a huge success, while also making a concious effort for the environment.

"In 1984 Schaffer founded Earmeal, his own record label, on which he has released all his solo albums on since. Among many awards as a guitarist, musician and producer, Schaffer has been awarded a Swedish Grammy award in 1989 in the category 'Best instrumental album' with Electric Graffitti, in 1999 Electric Banana Band were awarded a Grammy for 'Best children's album' and Janne Schaffer was awarded the prestigious Hagstr?m-award.

"35 years after his commercial breakthrough, Janne Schaffer continues to tour intensly with several projects. IB are happy and proud to welcome Mr. Schaffer to IB Expo 08!"

Schaffer MySpace: www.myspace.com/schafferjanne

Posted in Band News (tours, comings/goings, etc)