Joel Illerhag

Joel Illerhag (born 1985) is a Danish/Swedish double bass player and sculptor. In 2013 he graduated from the Royal Danish Academy of Music and in 2018 he graduated as a soloist. Illerhag is a a part of the Danish jazz scene and has contributed to award winning albums. 
Illerhags sculptures are inspired by U-ram Choe and often explores mechanical and computerized movements as well as interactivity. His aesthetics have an international expression and a musical sensitivity to the collaboration between shape, movement and material. 
==Biography==
While a student at the Royal Danish Academy Illerhag won the prestigious international jazz contest, The Getxo Jazz Contest, as a part of Carl Winther Trio. 
After finishing at The Royal Danish Academy Illerhags technical interest became obvious when he invented and designed "The Swedish Harp Bass". With the Swedish Harp Bass Illerhag installed 39 resonanse strings below the traditional four of the double bass. In the creation of Swedish Harp Bass Illerhag was inspired by the traditional Swedish folk instrument, The Nyckelharpa, and the traditional Middle Eastern instrument, The Sarangi. 
Illerhags inspiration from the Middle East is also obvious in his musical style which is characterized by use of the bow to create melodies that have a resemblance to a religious call to prayer - Adhan. 
As a sculptor Illerhag became a part the programme Catch in Elsinore and the performing arts organization Haut. The collaboration between Illerhag, Catch and Haut resulted in an installation/performance at the art festival, The Click Festival. 
As a sculptor Illerhag had his first major solo exhibition in 2020 at Museum Southeast Denmark - The Sound of Glass. The exhibition was accompanied by a musical work done by Thomas Agergaard and marked the opening of the art hall at the site - Holmegaard Værk (Museum of Sourthest Denmark). Because of the history of Holmegaard Værk as a glass factory Illerhags main inspiration for the exhibition was old glass remains that he found in the ground surrounding the museum. 
Illerhag is known to collaborate with Thomas Agergaard, Carsten Dahl, Fredrik Lundin, Thomas Hass, Bjarne Roupé, Niclas Campagnol. 
==Exhibitions==
* 2019: Click Festival, No Tale No Head (installation and performance)
* 2020: The Sound of Glass, Museum Southeast Denmark, musical work by Thomas Agergaard, Holmegaard Værk
* 2020: The Lantern Festival
* 2023: The Polychrome Sculpture
* 2024: Drawn to the Deep, Strandingsmuseet 
==Awards (double bass)==
 * 2011: Winner of Getxo Jazz - Carl Winther Trio.
* 2018: Jazz Composer of the Year , The Carl Prize, Five go Adventuring Again, Fredrik Lundin
* 2018: Best album, Jazz Special - Five go Adventuring Again, Fredrik Lundin
* 2018: Danish Jazz Composer of the Year, Danish Music Award, Fredrik Lundin
* 2023: Vocal jazz album of The Year, Danish Music Award, Fredrik Lundin and Trinelise Væring
==Discography (double bass)==
* 2015: Martinis for Children, Kira Martini
* 2016; Yellow House Session, Kira Martini
* 2017: 5 go adventuring again, Fredrik Lundin
* 2019: Warm Valley, Kira Martini
* 2022: Tone of Voice Orchestra
* 2023: Narrations, Thomas Agergaard
==Discography (double bass/composer)==
* 2017: Skuggor och ljus
Category:1985 births
Category:Swedish people
Category:Double-bassists
Category:Sculptors