Karel Eriksson is a trombonist and composer born in Hapsala, Estonia. He graduated from Graz University of Music and Performing Arts in 2014 (BA) and is currently based in Austria and Sweden.

Karel began studying trombone at Södra Latins Music Academy in Stockholm from 2004-2007.

In 2007 he moved two Prague for further studies in Jazz. 2009 led to a move to Graz and University of Music and Performing Arts where he enrolled in the trombone class directed by Ed Neumeister. In 2014 Karel graduated with honors.
After winning a soloist prize at the “European Jazz Competition” in Rome Karel was offered to participate at the Siena Jazz Workshop where he studied with Avishai Cohen (trpt) & Greg Osby among others.
Throughout the years in Graz Karel has studied with Dave Liebman, Michael Abene, Nils Wogram, Dave Taylor, Jim McNeely,

John Hollenbeck, Mike Holober, Ed Partyka, Adrian Mears, Curtis Fuller, Jimmy Cobb, Stjepko Gut, John Fedchock, Luis Bonilla, Don Menza, Jim McNeely, Matthias Rüegg, Dick Oatts and many more...

​

Karel released his debut CD as a leader “Free To Choose”, with “Sound Pollution Eclectic” in January 2019 on the Viennese Label “Freifeld Tonträger. 
Karel is also co-leading the group “4Seasons” together with Gerhard Ornig, Vasilis Koutsonanos and Luis Oliveira. The group released their debut-album “Long Ride” in February 2018 also on the Viennese Label “Freifeld Tonträger” (www.4seasonsmusic.org)

​

He currently plays in groups such as:

Jazz Bigband Graz, Groove.n.move, Berndt Luef & Jazztet Forum Graz, Jakob Helling Concert Bigband, Nexus Lineup, Prohibition Stompers, Nobuo Watanabes “Prohibition Orchestra”

​

Karel has performed at: 

Getxo Jazz Festival in Spain,

SKOL Festival in Brazil,

12-Points Fesival, San Sebastian, Spain

Straubing Festival in Germany,

Bohemia Jazz Festival in Czechia,

Stockholm Jazz Festival in Sweden

​

Awards:
Best Solo – Litvinov Jazzfest 2009

Best Soloist – Jazz Juniors, Prague 2009

Outstanding Solo award – European Jazz Competition, Rome 2012

Best Band Award – Piotr Pawlak Jazztet, Jazz Nad Odra. Wroclav, Poland 2012

Best Band Award – Nexus Lineup, Hungarian Jazz Combo Competion 2017, Budapest.