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Key Information

Hildur Alice Nilson (26 January 1924 – 11 February 2014), known by her stage name Alice Babs, was a Swedish singer.[1] She worked in a wide number of genres – Swedish folklore, Elizabethan songs and opera. While she was best known internationally as a jazz singer, Babs also competed as Sweden's first annual competition entrant in the Eurovision Song Contest 1958. In 1972 she was named Sweden's Royal Court Singer, the first non-opera singer as such.

Career

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After making her breakthrough in the film Swing it, magistern! ('Swing It, Teacher!', 1940),[2] she appeared in more than a dozen Swedish-language films. Despite being cast as the well-behaved, good-hearted, cheerful girl, the youth culture forming with Babs as its icon caused outrage among members of the older generation. A vicar called the Babs cult the "foot and mouth disease of cultural life".[3]

Nilson in the Eurovision Song Contest 1958, representing Sweden
Alice Babs with the Swe-Danes in 1961
Nilson (centre) with the rest of the Swe-Danes in 1961

A long and productive period of collaboration with Duke Ellington began in 1963.[2] Among other works, Babs participated in performances of Ellington's second and third Sacred Concerts which he had written originally for her. Her voice had a range of more than three octaves; Ellington said that when she was not available to sing the parts that he had written for her, he had to use three different singers.[4]

In 1963, her recording of "After You've Gone" (Fontana) reached No. 29 on the British New Musical Express charts.[5]

In 1972, she contributed to the recording of "Auntie", a Dutch song commemorating the beginning of British Broadcasting Corporation's radio broadcasts 50 years before.

Personal life

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In 1943, Babs married Nils Ivar Sjöblom (1919–2011). Their three children are Lilleba Sjöblom Lagerbäck (born 1945), Lars-Ivar (Lasse) Sjöblom (born 1948), and Titti Sjöblom (born 1949).[6][7]

Alice Babs and daughter Titti Sjöblom in an advertisement for Toy chewing gum, 1960

Between 1973 and 2004, Babs and her husband resided in Costa del Sol, Spain, while still working in Sweden and internationally. In their later years, they returned to Sweden.

Awards

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She was awarded the Illis quorum by the government of Sweden in 2003.[8]

Death

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Babs died of complications from Alzheimer's disease at age 90 on 11 February 2014 in Stockholm.[4][6][7][9]

Filmography

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1938 Thunder and Lightning Flower Girl Uncredited
1940 Swing it, magistern! Inga Danell
1941 Magistrarna på sommarlov
1941 Sjung och le Short
1942 Vårat gäng Alice, Bergendals dotter
1942 En trallande jänta Inger 'Babs' Jansson
1944 Eaglets Marianne Hedvall
1945 Skådetennis Short
1946 Det glada kalaset Anita
1947 Song of Stockholm Britt
1952 Drömsemestern Herself
1952 H.C. Andersens sagor Storyteller
1953 Kungen av Dalarna Herself
1953 I dur och skur Greta Norman
1953 Resan till dej Gun Karlsson
1955 Swedish Girl [de] Karin Pettersson
1956 Symphonie in Gold Singer
1956 Swing it, fröken Alice Lind
1958 Musik ombord Ulla Wickström / Ulla Winther
1959 Swinging at the Castle Inga 'Trollet' Larsson (final film role)
2008 Alice Babs – Swing´it (orig. Naturröstens hemlighet, Documentary
2013 Alice Babs förlorade rättigheter (Alice Babs' Lost Rights, Documentary

Discography

[edit]
Recording of Alice Babs produced by the Swedish record label Sonora

Alice Babs' discography includes more than 800 recordings since her debut with Joddlarflickan in 1939. The following is a list of her recordings available on CD, listed chronologically from when they were originally recorded.

  • Vax Records CD 1003 Alice Babs & Nisse Linds Hot-trio, originally recorded: 1939–41
  • Naxos 8.120759 Swingflickan, originally recorded: 1939–44
  • Vax Records CD 1000 Early recordings 1939–1949
  • Klara skivan KLA 7802-2 Joddlarflickan (2 CDs), originally recorded: 1939–51
  • Phontastic PHONTCD 9302 Swing it! Alice Babs!, originally recorded: 1939–53
  • Sonora 548493-2 Swing it, Alice! (2 CDs), originally recorded: 1939–63
  • Sonora 529315-2 Ett glatt humör, originally recorded: 1940–42
  • Odeon 7C138-35971/2 Alice Babs, originally recorded: 1942–1947
  • Metronome 8573-84676-2 Guldkorn, originally recorded: 1951–58
  • Metronome 4509-93189-2 Metronomeåren, originally recorded: 1951–58
  • Metronome 5050467-1616-2-7 Alice Babs bästa (2 CDs), originally recorded: 1951–61
  • Bear Family BCD 15809-AH Mitsommernacht, originally recorded: 1953–59
  • Bear Family BCD 15814-AH Lollipop, originally recorded: 1953–59
  • EMI 7243-5-96148-2-3 Diamanter (2 CDs), originally recorded: 1958–60
  • EMI 7243-5-20153-2-0 Just you, just me, originally recorded: 1958–72
  • Pickwick 751146 Regntunga skyar, originally recorded: 1958–72
  • Metronome 4509-95438-2 Swe-Danes Scandinavian Shuffle, originally recorded: 1959
  • RCA 74321-12719-2 Alice and Wonderband, originally recorded: 1959
  • Real Gone Music RGM-0496 Serenade to Sweden, Alice Babs and Duke Ellington, originally recorded: 1963
  • Swedish Society Discofil SWECD 401 Sjung med oss mamma (Alice Tegnér), originally recorded: 1963
  • Swedish Society Discofil SWECD 400 Alice Babs, originally recorded: 1964
  • Swedish Society Discofil SWECD 402 Scandinavian songs (Svend Asmussen) originally recorded: 1964
  • Prophone PCD 050 Yesterday, originally recorded: 1966–75
  • Vax Records VAXCD 1006 "Illusion" (with Jan Johansson and Georg Riedels orchestra) Originally recorded 1966
  • Vax Records CD 1008 "As time goes by" Alice Babs with Bengt Hallbergs trio and Arne Domnérus Big Band with Svend Asmussen. Originally recorded 1960–1969
  • EMI 7243 5398942 2 Den olydiga ballongen/Hej du måne, originally recorded: 1968–76
  • Prophone PCD 045 What a joy!, originally recorded: 1972–80
  • Bluebell ABCD 052 There's something about me, originally recorded: 1973–78
  • Prophone PCD 021 Serenading Duke Ellington, originally recorded: 1974–75
  • Swedish Society Discofil SCD 3003 Om sommaren sköna – Sjunger Alice Tegnér, originally recorded: 1974
  • Bluebell ABCD 005 Far away star, originally recorded: 1977
  • RCA Victor 74321-62363-2 Swingtime again, originally recorded: 1998
  • Sony SK 61797 A church blues for Alice, originally recorded: 1999
  • Four Leaf Clover Records FLCDVD 8001 Swingtime Again with Charlie Norman recorded 1999
  • Prophone PCD 062 Don't be blue, originally recorded: 2001
  • Vax Records Vi Minns Alice Babs released: 2014[4]

Citations

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  1. ^ Cook 2005, p. 27.
  2. ^ a b Yanow, Scott. "Alice Babs: Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 4 June 2011.
  3. ^ Reney, Tom (14 April 2014). "Alice Babs: The Rare Delight Of You". Biography. New England Public Radio - NEPR.net. Archived from the original on 22 October 2015. Retrieved 6 April 2015.
  4. ^ a b c Mosey, Chris (25 September 2014). "Alice Babs: Vi Minns Alice Babs (2014)". Musical reviews. Retrieved 6 April 2015.
  5. ^ Chris Davies. British & American Hit Singles, Batsford.
  6. ^ a b Keepnews, Peter (14 February 2014). "Alice Babs, Who Sang for Ellington, Dies at 90". The New York Times. Retrieved 6 April 2015.
  7. ^ a b "Swedish singer Alice Babs dies aged 90". TheLocal.se. 11 February 2014. Archived from the original on 19 April 2015. Retrieved 6 April 2015.
  8. ^ "Regeringens belöningsmedaljer och regeringens utmärkelse: Professors namn". Regeringskansliet (in Swedish). January 2006. Archived from the original on 2 November 2021. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
  9. ^ Alice Babs död, Dagens Nyheter 11 February 2014 (in Swedish)

Sources

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  • Cook, Richard (2005). Richard Cook's Jazz Encyclopedia. London: Penguin Books. p. 27. ISBN 0-141-00646-3.

Further reading

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Alice Babs

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Alice Babs (born Hildur Alice Nilson; 26 January 1924 – 11 February 2014) was a Swedish singer and actress renowned for her versatile voice spanning , swing, folklore, and classical genres, who rose to prominence as a teen idol in the and maintained a prolific career until her later years. Born in , , Babs grew up in , where her musician father trained her in harmonizing from a young age, leading to her professional debut with a recording in 1939 and breakthrough via the film Swing it, magistern! in 1940. Her early career included radio performances on Vårat gäng (1939–1946) and establishing herself as Sweden's first major swing singer, earning international acclaim through tours in (1949) and the (1959). Babs achieved several milestones, including recording Sweden's first gold record with Käre John in 1952 and representing Sweden at the in 1958, where she placed fourth with "Lilla stjärna." She formed the vocal-instrumental group Swe-Danes in 1958 with Danish musicians Ulrik Neumann and Svend Asmussen, touring Europe until 1965. Her most notable collaborations came with American legend , starting in 1963 with performances of his Sacred Concerts and culminating in the 1966 album Serenade to Sweden, which highlighted her soprano range in contexts. In her , Babs married Nils-Ivar Sjöblom in 1944, with whom she had three children, including singer Titti Sjöblom, and she continued performing into her 80s, receiving honors for her contributions to Swedish music. She passed away in , , at age 90, leaving a legacy as one of Sweden's most beloved and influential vocalists.

Early life

Birth and family background

Hildur Alice Nilson, known professionally as Alice Babs, was born on 26 January 1924 in , . She was the daughter of Jean Edvin Kasimir Nilson, a biografpianist (cinema ) and , and Hildur Matilda Viktoria Nilson (née Liljegren), who also engaged in . The couple's involvement in reflected a household immersed in artistic pursuits, though the family maintained a modest, working-class existence typical of early 20th-century . Born in , the family soon moved to , where they resided and Alice grew up. Nilson had at least one sibling, a younger brother named Jean Casimir Nilson (born 1925). Her parents divorced in 1941, but during her early childhood, the home environment fostered an appreciation for local cultural elements, including traditions and access to theaters and early radio broadcasts in the region.

Early musical influences and training

Alice Babs, born Hildur Alice Nilson in , , grew up in in a musical household where her father worked as a cinema pianist and her mother sang for the family, fostering her early interest in performance. From a young age, around three or four, she began singing informally, often alongside her mother, while her parents participated in productions that exposed her to basic stage elements. Her father played a key role in nurturing her talent, providing enthusiastic support that encouraged her musical pursuits within the family setting. At age twelve, Babs discovered and swing through a friend's collection of records, which introduced her to American artists such as , , and , igniting her passion for the genre's improvisational style. Self-taught in many aspects, she learned to imitate the and phrasing from these recordings, performing her first jazz-inspired songs like "Sweet Sue" and "Diga Diga Doo"—adapted with Swedish lyrics written by her father—during school musicals and concerts in . She also taught herself piano by ear during this period, taking only brief formal lessons before an injury interrupted them, relying instead on natural aptitude and familial encouragement for her vocal development. With her family's backing, particularly her father's initiative, Babs relocated to around age thirteen or fourteen to pursue greater opportunities in the burgeoning Swedish music scene. There, she encountered informal vocal guidance from a voice coach she met en route, who recognized her potential and offered lessons to refine her technique without delving into formal conservatory training. She frequently attended live performances and began in small venues like restaurants, absorbing influences from local ensembles and international recordings that shaped her early improvisational skills prior to entering professional circles.

Career

Breakthrough in Swedish entertainment

Alice Babs made her professional debut on Swedish radio in the late autumn of 1939, appearing on the youth-oriented program Vårat gäng, which led to her employment with AB Radiotjänst (now ). That summer, she had performed with Gösta Törner’s band, including notable musicians like Gunnar Svensson and Arne Domnérus, gaining initial exposure in Stockholm's nightlife scene. Her first recording session occurred in April 1939, when she cut Joddlarflickan, a yodeling-infused track written by her father, for Sonora Records. This marked the start of , followed by swing-influenced singles that showcased her youthful energy and sensibilities, such as early covers blending Swedish pop with American swing styles. Babs achieved her breakthrough in 1940 with the role of Inga in the film Swing it, magistern!, directed by Schamyl Bauman, where her performance of the title song "Swing it, magistern!"—composed by Kai Gullmar with lyrics by Hasse Ekman—captivated audiences and ignited "Babs mania" among Swedish youth. At just 16, she emerged as a national teenage sensation, propelling her from radio and records to widespread fame in Swedish entertainment.

Film and stage performances

Alice Babs made her film debut in the 1938 short Blixt och dunder, where her energetic performance as a young singer caught the attention of audiences, building on her early radio appearances. Over the next two decades, she appeared in more than 15 feature films, primarily in Swedish comedies and musicals, often portraying vivacious young leads who embodied youthful spirit and musical talent. Her breakthrough came with the 1940 musical Swing it, magistern!, in which she played Inga Danell, a spirited student introducing to a conservative , sparking "Babs mania" among Swedish youth and establishing her as a teen idol. This role led to sequels like Magistrarna på sommarlov (1941), where she reprised Inga Danell in a romp, and Swing it, fröken (1956), portraying Alice Lind, a teacher blending education with jazz performances. Other notable films included Vårat gäng (1942), a lively ensemble featuring Babs as Alice Bergendahl in a group of mischievous youths, and En trallande jänta (1942), where she starred as the optimistic Inger "Babs" Jansson navigating family and romance through song. In the postwar era, her roles evolved to reflect domestic themes, such as Gunborg in Resan till dej (1953), a romantic tale of marital adjustments, and Inga "Trollet" Larsson in Det svänger på slottet (1959), a castle-set musical marking her final major film appearance. These films highlighted her vocal prowess and comedic timing, contributing to the popularity of in Swedish cinema during the . On stage, Babs was a dynamic presence in 's theater scene during the 1940s, performing in revues and cabaret shows that showcased her jazz-infused singing and charisma. She began with a summer engagement at the China Theatre in , delivering energetic numbers that blended swing and popular tunes, followed by appearances at venues like Berns Salonger. Her work with ensembles such as Gösta Törner's band and the Swedish Swing Society included lively revues emphasizing improvisation and audience interaction, often in theaters where she captivated crowds with and upbeat performances. These stage outings, including tours of Swedish amusement parks in 1942, reinforced her reputation as a versatile entertainer bridging film and live theater. By the 1950s, as her musical career gained international momentum, Babs shifted focus away from , limiting her screen presence to occasional cameos and musical interludes in films like Musik ombord (1958), where she appeared as a singer aboard a ship. This transition allowed her to prioritize recording and global collaborations while maintaining her legacy in Swedish visual entertainment.

Jazz recordings and domestic success

In 1940, at the age of 16, Alice Babs recorded with Nisse Linds Hot-Trio, releasing swing covers of American standards such as "Sweet Sue," "Bluebirds in the ," and "Scatter-Brain." These early recordings, issued on Sonora Swing label, showcased her vibrant and rhythmic phrasing, blending Swedish pop sensibilities with improvisation to captivate local audiences during the wartime era. The trio's output laid the foundation for Babs' identity, emphasizing upbeat tempos and her clear, versatile in interpretations of tunes like "Dedicated to You." Babs' domestic breakthrough came with the 1940 film Swing it magistern, where her performance of the title song became a major Swedish hit, propelling her to national stardom as a teenage sensation. Throughout the , she solidified her popularity with additional swing-infused releases, including covers of standards like "Diga Diga Do," which highlighted her affinity for Ellington's style even as a young artist. By the , Babs transitioned to more mature vocal work, recording prolifically for Records with ensembles featuring Swedish luminaries such as Arne Domnérus on . Notable albums from this period, including compilations like Metronome-åren 1951-1958, featured tracks such as "Adress Rosenhill" and "Godmorgon Mr Eko," which blended standards with Swedish lyrics to achieve widespread commercial success in . Series like Alice Babs sjunger further demonstrated her interpretive depth, covering folklore-tinged numbers that resonated deeply with domestic listeners. Babs frequently performed at iconic Stockholm venues like Nalen, the city's premier jazz club, where her live sets of swing and bebop drew enthusiastic crowds in the postwar years. She undertook extensive tours across Sweden and neighboring Scandinavian countries throughout the 1940s and 1950s, often backed by all-star jazz groups including clarinetist Putte Wickman, establishing her as a dynamic live performer who energized regional jazz scenes. These engagements, combined with hits like "En gång i Stockholm" in the early 1960s—which echoed her earlier swing style—cemented her reputation as a pioneering figure in elevating vocal jazz within Sweden's cultural landscape. Her domestic success during this era not only boosted jazz's popularity in Sweden but also influenced a generation of Scandinavian musicians through her innovative fusion of American influences with local traditions.

International collaborations

In 1958, Babs formed the vocal-instrumental group Swe-Danes with Danish musicians Ulrik Neumann and Svend Asmussen, embarking on extensive tours across that lasted until 1965 and helped establish her presence on the international stage. Alice Babs achieved her first significant international exposure by representing at the inaugural in 1958, performing the song "Lilla stjärna" composed by Åke Gerhard with lyrics by Gunnar Wersén. Sweden's debut entry placed fourth out of ten participants, earning 10 points and introducing Babs to a broader . In 1963, Babs released the single "After You've Gone," a that marked her entry into the British market and peaked at number 43 on the UK Singles Chart, spending one week in the top 50. This release, backed with "St. Louis Blues Twist," highlighted her versatile vocal style and technique, contributing to her growing recognition beyond . Babs' most enduring international collaboration began in 1963 with American jazz legend Duke Ellington, leading to a decade-long partnership that spanned European tours and landmark performances. Their joint effort culminated in the album Serenade to Sweden, recorded in Paris during Ellington's European tour and featuring Babs on tracks like the title song and "Come Sunday," showcasing her three-octave range alongside Ellington's orchestra. She served as a soprano soloist in Ellington's Second Sacred Concert (1968) and Third Sacred Concert (1973), with the latter premiering at Westminster Abbey in London, where Babs performed pieces such as "The Majesty of God" amid a choir and orchestra. These collaborations elevated Babs' global profile, blending her Swedish jazz roots with Ellington's innovative sacred music.

Personal life

Marriage and children

Alice Babs married the Swedish bandleader Nils Ivar Sjöblom on April 15, 1944. They had met earlier in her career during her breakthrough years in Swedish entertainment. The couple remained married for nearly 67 years until Sjöblom's death on June 20, 2011. Babs and Sjöblom had three children: daughter Lilleba Sjöblom (born February 26, 1945), son Lars-Ivar "Lasse" Sjöblom (born March 19, 1948), and daughter Titti Sjöblom (born August 29, 1949). All three pursued paths connected to music; Lilleba and Titti became singers, with Lilleba recording alongside her mother, while Lasse also contributed vocals on a few tracks as a child and later lived in . Titti, in particular, followed her mother's footsteps most closely, developing a professional singing career and performing works like Babs' ballads. During the 1950s, as her career involved extensive touring and recordings, Babs balanced her professional commitments with family responsibilities by incorporating her young children into aspects of her work, such as joint recording sessions that fostered their early interest in music. This approach allowed her to maintain close family ties amid a demanding schedule of performances across and .

Residences and later years

In 1973, Alice Babs and her husband, Nils-Ivar Sjöblom, relocated from to on the in , settling in a home near a where they would reside for the next three decades. The move was primarily motivated by health concerns, as Babs had been plagued by recurrent and throat issues stemming from her extensive singing career; her doctor recommended the region's milder, warmer climate to provide relief. During their , Babs largely stepped back from the spotlight, embracing a quieter life centered on family, including their three children and growing number of grandchildren, while occasionally engaging with the local Swedish expatriate community through church activities at Svenska kyrkan in . By the and , her public appearances had significantly diminished, limited mostly to sporadic charity events and personal milestones, allowing her to prioritize domestic stability alongside Sjöblom. In their later years, Babs and her husband returned to , settling in the area to be closer to their family amid her health challenges. This relocation marked the beginning of her final phase of semi-retirement in her homeland, where she continued to focus on private family life.

Awards and honors

Swedish recognitions

In 1972, Alice Babs was appointed Hov s ångerska ( Singer) by King , a title traditionally reserved for singers but awarded to her in recognition of her exceptional contributions to Swedish cultural life through and . Two years later, in 1974, she was elected to the Royal Swedish Academy of Music, honoring her versatility across genres including jazz, folk, and popular song, which had enriched Sweden's musical heritage. Babs received Sweden's highest cultural distinction, the Illis quorum medal, from the government in 2003 for her lifetime achievements in music and film, underscoring her role in elevating Swedish entertainment on both national and international stages. In 2005, she was awarded a special prize at the , Sweden's premier music awards, acknowledging her enduring impact as a pioneering vocalist. Following her death in 2014, Babs was posthumously inducted into the Swedish Music Hall of Fame in 2015, celebrating her foundational influence on Swedish and from the mid-20th century onward. Earlier in her career, she achieved a milestone in 1954 by earning Sweden's first gold record for the single "Käre John" with Charlie Norman, marking her commercial success in domestic and swing recordings.

International acclaim

Alice Babs gained significant international recognition through her collaborations with , beginning in 1963 when she recorded with his orchestra in , including the track "Come Sunday." Ellington praised her extensively in his 1973 autobiography Music Is My Mistress, describing her as "the most unique artist I know... a composer's dream," highlighting her versatility across , lieder, and , which cemented her legacy in American jazz circles. These partnerships, including performances in his Second Sacred Concert in 1968, elevated her profile in the United States and , where she was celebrated for her and three-octave range. Her appearance at the in , representing with "Lilla stjärna" and finishing fourth, marked the country's debut and introduced her to a pan-European audience, earning acclaim for her poised delivery in Swedish. The performance, broadcast across the continent, showcased her as a versatile entertainer and contributed to her growing reputation beyond in the late . Following her death in 2014, Babs received posthumous tributes in international jazz communities, particularly in the UK and , for her 1963 Ellington recordings that blended Swedish folk elements with . Publications such as and London Jazz News lauded her as an irreplaceable voice in Ellington's oeuvre, emphasizing her role in bridging European and American traditions. These acknowledgments underscored her enduring impact on global appreciation.

Death and legacy

Final years and passing

In the early 2000s, Alice Babs began experiencing the onset of cognitive decline associated with Alzheimer's disease, with a formal diagnosis of both Alzheimer's and vascular dementia confirmed in early 2013. This health challenge progressively impacted her ability to engage publicly, leading to her complete withdrawal from public life by 2008 as she focused on private care and family. Having returned to Sweden earlier for health reasons, she resided in a nursing home in the Stockholm area during her final years, where she received support amid the disease's advancement. Babs passed away on 11 February 2014 at a in , at the age of 90, due to complications from . Her death occurred nearly three years after that of her husband, Nils-Ivar Sjöblom, who died in June 2011; the couple had shared a long partnership marked by mutual support through her career. Surrounded by at the time of her passing, Babs departed peacefully, concluding a life dedicated to music and performance. Her funeral was a private ceremony held in late February 2014 at Sollerö kyrka near , in keeping with her wish for an intimate farewell away from public attention. Attended solely by members, the service featured heartfelt music, including selections evoking her legacy such as works associated with , performed by close associates including the officiating priest Bo Wallin and his wife Karin. The event emphasized themes of faith and gratitude, with readings from the , providing a serene closure attended by a small circle that included figures from Sweden's music community connected through family ties.

Cultural impact and tributes

Alice Babs played a pioneering role for women in Swedish jazz, emerging as one of the country's first teen idols through her breakthrough performance in the 1940 film Swing it, magistern!, which popularized swing music and established her as a versatile vocalist blending jazz with popular styles. Her international performances, including at the 1949 Paris Jazz Festival alongside Swedish musicians, further elevated the visibility of female jazz artists from Scandinavia. Babs' innovative fusion of swing with Scandinavian folk traditions, exemplified in her 1964 album Scandinavian Folk Songs Sung & Swung! recorded with Danish violinist Svend Asmussen, influenced the evolution of Nordic jazz by incorporating regional melodic elements into American swing rhythms. This approach inspired later Swedish jazz vocalists, such as Monica Zetterlund, who drew from Babs' success in navigating jazz, schlager, and folk genres to build their own careers. Following her death in 2014, Babs received several posthumous tributes recognizing her contributions to Swedish music. In 2015, she was inducted into the Swedish Music Hall of Fame, honoring her as a "swing rebel and vocal virtuoso" whose career spanned decades and genres. The 2010 documentary Alice Babs - Swing it!, directed by Lasse Zackrisson, provided an in-depth exploration of her life and artistry, gaining renewed attention and expanded discussions in media retrospectives after her passing. Babs' legacy endures prominently in Duke Ellington's oeuvre, particularly through her soprano performances in his Sacred Concerts, where she delivered pieces like "Heaven" and "Almighty God" during collaborations in 1968 and 1973. These recordings, preserved in jazz archives such as those documenting Ellington's discography, highlight her unique vocal range and have been featured in scholarly analyses of the concerts' spiritual and musical innovations. Her contributions are commemorated annually at European jazz festivals and Ellington-focused events, including tributes at the International Duke Ellington Society conferences, where her role in bridging jazz with sacred music continues to be celebrated.

Filmography

Feature films

Alice Babs made her film debut in 1938 and appeared in a total of 18 Swedish feature films over the next two decades, concluding with her final lead role in 1959. Her screen career was closely tied to her early breakthrough in via radio performances, which led to her casting in musical comedies where she typically played vibrant, independent young women challenging traditional norms through . These roles allowed her to contribute original songs to the soundtracks, many of which became enduring hits in . Babs collaborated frequently with director Weyler Hildebrand on five films, emphasizing lighthearted narratives infused with and swing elements that showcased her multifaceted talents as singer and actress. Her filmography is presented chronologically below, highlighting key roles and production details:
YearTitle (English/Swedish)RoleDirectorNotes
1938Thunder and Lightning / Blixt och dunderFlower Girl (uncredited)Anders HenriksonMinor role in a comedy adaptation of a P.G. Wodehouse novel; Babs' screen debut at age 14.
1940Swing It, Teacher! / Swing it, magistern!Inga Danell / Linda LoySchamyl BaumanBreakthrough role as a schoolgirl moonlighting as a nightclub singer; featured original songs like the title track, establishing her as a star.
1941The Teachers on Holiday / Magistrarna på sommarlovInga DanellSchamyl BaumanSequel to her breakthrough film; reprises the singer role, performing swing numbers amid summer antics.
1942Life Is Ours / Livet är vårtYoung WomanWeyler HildebrandEnergetic supporting character in a romantic ensemble comedy.
1942A Chirping Girl / En trallande jäntaInger "Babs" JanssonBörje LarssonLead as a cheerful singer navigating family and romance.
1942Our Gang / Vårat gängAlice BergendahlGunnar SkoglundPortrays a young singer clashing with conservative figures over jazz music.
1944Young Eagles / ÖrnungarMarianne HedvallIvar JohanssonRebellious daughter in a family drama involving aviation enthusiasts.
1944The Girl in Tails / Flickan i frackEva CronemanWeyler HildebrandLead as a tomboyish heiress disguising herself in tails for comedic effect; includes signature musical numbers.
1945The Rose of Tistelön / Rosen på TistelönBrittaÅke OhbergRomantic lead opposite Edvin Adolphson, singing in a island-set musical.
1943Swing It Again / Svart på vittSingerHarry PrennGuest appearance in a revue-style comedy, performing swing tunes.
1946While the Door Was Locked / Medan porten var stängdDorisHasse EkmanSupporting role in a locked-room mystery with musical interludes.
1947Two Women / Två kvinnorKarinArnold SjöstrandDual role exploration in a dramatic story of women's lives.
1950The White Cat / Den vita kattenAliceHasse EkmanComedic lead as a singer entangled in a jewel theft plot.
1952Journey to You / Resan till dejGunborgStig OlinAmbitious wife pursuing her singing dreams, reconciling with her husband.
1953Dance, My Doll / Dansa, min dockaLottaPer GunvallEnergetic dancer and singer in a light revue film.
1956Swing It, Miss! / Swing it, fröken!Alice LindStig OlinTeacher suppressing her son's musical interests in a family comedy; remake elements from her 1940 hit.
1958Music Aboard / Musik ombordUlla WickströmStig OlinCruise ship singer in a romantic musical comedy.
1959Swinging at the Castle / Det svänger på slottetInga "Trollet" LarssonAlf KjellinFinal lead as a jealous singer at a castle party; features husband Sven Lindberg.
Babs' portrayals consistently emphasized her as a symbol of youthful vitality and musical innovation, often in productions by Sandrews or Europa Film studios that capitalized on the swing craze of the era.

Documentaries and television

Alice Babs began appearing on Swedish television in the , shortly after the medium's introduction in the country, with broadcasts featuring her live performances that captured her energetic swing style and . These early SVT appearances included musical segments showcasing her alongside prominent Swedish musicians, contributing to her growing popularity as a performer in the post-war entertainment scene. A notable television highlight from this era was her participation in the inaugural in 1958, where she performed "Lilla stjärna" as 's entry for the , placing fourth overall and marking one of her prominent live TV broadcasts. In 2008, the documentary Alice Babs: Swing from Sweden (original Swedish title Alice Babs, Naturröstens hemlighet), directed by Lasse Zackrisson, was released, providing an in-depth retrospective of her career highlights from her breakthrough in the through her international collaborations, incorporating personal interviews, archival performance footage, and reflections on her musical influences. Approaching her 90th birthday in 2013, SVT broadcast the television special Alice Babs förlorade rättigheter (part of the Dokument inifrån series), which included interviews with Babs and extensive archival footage exploring aspects of her later career and personal circumstances, though it stirred controversy for its focus on her financial and legal challenges. Following Babs' in February 2014, Swedish television aired several posthumous programs, such as retrospectives on SVT and , featuring compilations of her archival performances, tributes from collaborators, and discussions of her enduring impact on Swedish music and culture.

Discography

Key albums

Alice Babs released over 30 studio albums throughout her career, spanning swing, , and sacred music, with her work reflecting a blend of Swedish schlager and international influences. Her early recordings from the , later compiled on LPs such as the 1972 Alice Babs 1940-45, captured her vibrant swing style and established her as a prominent vocalist in Sweden's scene. Her debut studio LP, Alice Babs, was released in 1957 and featured swing and standards. In the 1950s, her album Alice Babs (1957) showcased her interpretations of jazz standards, emphasizing upbeat rhythms and her clear, expressive voice. A pivotal international collaboration came with Serenade to Sweden in 1963, recorded with Duke Ellington and his orchestra during their European tour; the album fused Ellington's sophisticated arrangements with Babs' lyrical vocals on tracks like the title song and medleys of his compositions, highlighting her role in bridging American jazz and European sensibilities. During the 1970s, Babs contributed significantly to Ellington's sacred music projects, including recordings from the Second Sacred Concert (recorded 1968, released 1970) and Third Sacred Concert (1973, released 1975), where her soaring on pieces like "" added emotional depth to the repertoire. Later in her career, the album Alice Babs & Nisse Linds Hot-Trio featured re-recordings of her early hits, underscoring her enduring legacy in vocals.

Notable singles and compilations

Alice Babs began her recording career with early singles tied to her film debut, including the 1940 release "Regntunga Skyar / Swing It, Magistern" on , which featured songs from the movie Swing it, magistern! and marked her breakthrough as a teenage vocalist. By the , she had issued numerous 78-rpm singles across labels like and Cupol, contributing to her extensive output in swing and styles during Sweden's domestic jazz era. Among her notable hits, "Lilla stjärna" served as Sweden's debut entry in the , performed in and earning fourth place with 10 points, establishing her international visibility through its upbeat, child-inspired lyrics in Swedish. In , her cover of "After You've Gone" on Fontana reached number 43 on the UK Singles Chart, marking a rare chart entry outside and highlighting her swing interpretation of the . Key compilations include the 1994 release Swing It!, a Swedish retrospective spanning her 1939–1953 recordings on Phontastic, capturing her early swing and pop phases. Posthumously, the 2014 six-CD box set Vi Minns Alice Babs 1924–2014 on Vax Records compiled over 100 tracks from her career, honoring her legacy with selections from jazz, ballads, and collaborations shortly after her death.

References

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