Xieyi

b. 1957, Jonkoping, Sweden. Taking up music in early childhood, Jormin studied extensively, eventually graduating from Goteborg’s Musikhogskolan in 1979. Trained as a bass player and in composition, he turned to jazz, working in the 70s and 80s bands Mwendo Dawa and Rena Rama. Through the 80s and beyond Jormin played and sometimes recorded with musicians such as Jon Balke, Joey Baron, Kristian Blak (a musical association that extended fruitfully through many years), Don Cherry, Marilyn Crispell, Jack DeJohnette, Gilberto Gil, Joe Henderson, Mark Feldman, Elvin Jones and Albert Mangelsdorff. In the 90s, Jormin recorded with Lee Konitz, Charles Lloyd, Joe Lovano, Mike Mainieri, Paul Motian, Tomasz Stanko, Bobo Stenson, John Surman, John Taylor, Kenny Wheeler and Norma Winstone. Jormin has also often appeared as leader of Entra, notably on the albums Entra Love! (1983), Kingolog (1984), Live Lights (Timeless 1989) and Ballet (1991), and has played with Dr Dingo and Magnetic North. He has sometimes appeared in bands in which his brother, Christian Jormin, plays drums.

Jormin has also played in and composed for jazz-chamber music groups, while his In Winds, In Light is sacred music, originally commissioned for performance in Vasteras Cathedral although not recorded until 2003. In 1991, his Alone, a solo bass recording, was highly acclaimed in Sweden, where it picked up several awards. In addition to a busy performing schedule, Jormin has also taught bass and improvisation at the Musikhogskolan, from which he had earlier graduated. He was invited to become a member of the Swedish Royal Academy of Music and in 2003 became Doctor Honoris Causa at Finland’s Sibelius Academy.