John Björling

Swedish clarinetist, saxophonist and violinist born in 1921. Did his professional debut as a 15 years old in Åke Fagerlunds Göteborgsorkester and moved to Stockholm in 1939 to join Håkan Von Eichwalds Orkester. In 1941 Björling joined Thore Ehrlings Orkester as first saxophonist. At the same time he replaced Emil Iwring in Svenska Hotkvintetten. In the winter of 1941/1942 Björling moved back to Gothenburg and joined both Åke Fagerlunds Orkester and Sven Sjöholms Orkester while doing his military service. In 1943 Björling returned to Thore Ehrlings Orkester and stayed in many years. Often used the alias Joppla.