Blues in Stockholm

I've found another little Stockholm jewel. The first was the Fashing jazz bar where world class jazz artists frequent. This jewel is called Stampen (Swedidh for stomping, or dancing). It's in Gamla Stan, the old historic part of town. J and I decided to have some fun on our 31'st anniversary and decided to try Stampen.


We first had a nice dinner at the Krypin which included reindeer. Then we strolled over to Stampen. It turns out we were an hour before the show and the place was mostly empty. We heard the show was going to begin at 10 PM so we sat at the table closest to the stage. This turned out to be the best seat in the place. Any closer and we'd have been on the stage.

While waiting we met a nice Swedish grandmother who lives in London but comes to visit her children every few months. She said she always visits Stampen when she's in Stockholm.

At 10 PM, the band comes out and says they'll mix up some Swedish and English ("for the tourists"). The front man, Bill Öhrström, was (and I guessing) in his mid-fifties but still had the energy of a young man and was amazing.......so into his music, it was as if a switch turned on when he gave the signal for the music to begin...stomping, jumping, singing, and playing the harmonica. His enthusiasm created fun for everyone.

After a few songs J and I happened to look behind us. The room was packed with standing room only. Yet we had comfortable seats right at the stage's edge. Wow.