Emil Jonason (b. 1983) has established himself as a charismatic young clarinet virtuoso from the new generation of swedish wind soloists. Since his soloist debut at age 17 he has appeared as a soloist with several professional orchestras, such as Royal Stockholm Philharmonc Orchestra, Helsingborg Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra Kremlin in Moscow, Musica Vitae, SAMI Sinfonietta, and others.
In spring 2007, Emil finished his diploma studies with Martin Fröst at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm. Emil has also studied with Hermann Stefansson, Kjell-Inge Stevensson and Yehuda Gilad.
As the first Swede ever, Emil was invited to the Lions Europe Soloist Competition in 2004 where he won the Prize Of The 21st Century Piece for his performance of Andy Pape’s choreographic Searching, for solo clarinet. In 2005 Emil won the Solofoni Prize and was elected Young Soloist of the Year. The following year he won first prize in Yamaha Music Foundation of Europe Competition.
Emil is also an active chamber musician and has toured South America, Japan, Europe and the Nordic countries with different ensembles. During the summers of 2003-2005, Emil was invited to perform at the Music Masters Course in Kazusa. The festival is based in and around Tokyo and led by conductor Alan Gilbert (recently appointed Musid Director of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra).
Wild and fierce music with roots in the Klezmer- and Gypsytraditions has always fascinated and inspired Emil. Since 2001 he has toured Poland, Czech Republic and performed at Festivals and World Music Stages in Sweden with different groups. He has been most active in the groups AksakOrkestar and Stockholm Klezmer Quintet.
