Kustbandet, a Swedish jazz orchestra, was founded in Stockholm in 1962 by Christer Ekhé and Kenneth Arnström. Initially named the Southside Kneewarmers, the band played traditional New Orleans jazz and later big band music. In the mid-1970s, Bent Persson joined Kustbandet, introducing his own charts and transcriptions from vintage recordings. The orchestra has performed extensively at concerts, dances, and festivals, touring Europe, Asia, Australia, and the USA. Notable performances include three Nobel Prize Galas, Prairie Home Companion radio shows, and New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festivals. Kustbandet's discography includes over 20 albums, with notable releases such as The New Call of the Freaks (1988) and The Man from Harlem (2001). The band has been associated with labels like Kenneth Records, Stomp Off, Circle Records, and Sittel. In 1987, Jens "Jesse" Lindgren took over the leadership of Kustbandet.
