ASI Spelmanslag

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The ASI Spelmanslag, is led by Paul Dahlin. The group includes fiddlers from teenage to octagenarians. They have performed at the Smithsonian Festival of American Folklife, the National Folk Festival and have toured internationally. Paul Dahlin received the National Heritage Award for his work preserving the Swedish folk music tradition as well as for composing new tunes in the traditional style. Their repertoire includes traditional dance tunes such as waltzes, schottisches, and polskas.

The music they play represents a living tradition that started hundreds of years ago in Sweden. The melodies were made by women as they sang to their cattle in the summer pastures; by miners and loggers as they marched to and from their work; and by countless common people who enjoyed singing and dancing with family and friends. The music and rhythms lifted their spirits as they experienced joys and sorrows together. Sweden's tradition of fiddle music goes back hundreds of years as well. Swedes say they have a tune for every occasion from weddings, baptisms, and funerals to dances, feasts, and holidays.

The tunes ASI Spelmanslag play might never have reached Twin Cities audiences if one man hadn't loved the fiddle. Edwin Johnson left Sweden during the 1920s, when drought and a weak economy drove many Swedish farmers to America. Edwin (born Ivares Edvin Jonsson) left Rättvik, on the shores of Lake Siljan in Dalarna, when he was 19 years old. He intended to stay in America for just a year. He packed his bags and his fiddle, but his mother forbade him to take the instrument, saying, "You're going to work, not to play." In America, Edwin couldn't bear being without a fiddle, so he built himself a new one. And he decided to stay in this country.

He met Nall Jon Eriksson, who grew up in the same fiddling tradition in Rättvik, and the two played together at many Swedish-American social events in Minnesota. Edwin met and married Elsie, also from Rättvik, and raised a family. He taught his children and grandchildren to love the music from his homeland. His son Bruce Johnson and his grandson Paul Dahlin played with him for many years as the American Swedish Spelmans Trio. They appeared several times on Garrison Keillor's "A Prairie Home Companion."

After Edwin died in 1984, Paul continued his grandfather's legacy and further advanced the tradition in America by organizing and leading our group. The ASI Spelmanslag, organized in 1985 with a dozen players, grew out of fiddle classes Paul taught at the American Swedish Institute. It currently has more than 40 fiddlers of all ages, from teenagers to octogenarians, many of whom were in Paul's original classes.

ASI Spelmanslag Swedish fiddle music is harmonically rich with tunes ranging from upbeat to introspective. This recording was made at a live concert in Woodbury, Minnesota in the spring of 2000. CD Price: $14.97

Äkta Spelmän: Swedish Fiddle Music "Äkta" means genuine and "spelmän" translates as a group of folk musicians. So "Äkta Spelmän" is a group of genuine Swedish folk musicians. Except that this band is American and when asked if they wanted to dress in traditional costume for the photographs they answered, in unison, "NO!" Still, this is genuine, traditional music in the most important sense. It is played with a high standard of musicianship by folks who are not professional musicians. And it is played with respect for the traditional styles without being restricted by them. All the tracks are complete takes with no editing. CD Price: $14.97

Siljan to the USA Offers tunes from Edwin Johnson who brought this Swedish music with him when he immigrated to Minnesota in 1924 from Rättvik, on the shores of Lake Siljan in Dalarna. Also includes tunes from other traditionals sources as well as new tunes made by visiting Swedes and by Edwin's grandson (and ASI Spelmanslag leader) Paul Dahlin. Recorded at Chisago Lakes Lutheran Church, Center City, Minnesota, on October 17, 1993. CD Price: $14.97

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