Alice Babs Swedish singer and actress Date of Birth: 26.01.1924 Country: Sweden

1. Alice Babs: A Multitalented Swedish Singer and Actress
2. Breakthrough in Film
3. Eurovision and the Swe-Danes
4. Collaboration with Duke Ellington
5. On-Screen and Off-Screen
6. A Life of Service

Alice Babs: A Multitalented Swedish Singer and Actress

Alice Babs, born Hildur Alice Nilsson, was born on January 26, 1924, in Kalmar, Sweden. Throughout her career, she dabbled in various genres including Swedish folklore and opera, but it was as a jazz singer that she achieved international success.

Breakthrough in Film

In 1940, Alice Babs had her breakthrough in the Swedish comedy "Swing It, Teacher!" Following this film, she went on to star in over a dozen movies. Despite portraying kind and cheerful girls that the youth admired, Alice Babs faced serious criticism from the older generation. Her artistic creations were even referred to as a "lizard that infiltrated the cultural life."

Eurovision and the Swe-Danes

In 1958, Alice Babs became the first artist to represent Sweden in the Eurovision Song Contest. With her song "Lilla stjärna" ("Little Star"), she placed fourth. In the same year, she formed the Danish-Swedish jazz trio "Swe-Danes" with guitarist Ulrik Neumann and violinist Svend Asmussen. The trio embarked on a tour of the United States before disbanding in 1965.

Collaboration with Duke Ellington

Alice Babs started a long and fruitful collaboration with American composer and pianist Duke Ellington in 1963. Among their collaborations, Alice Babs performed in the second and third American 'Sacred Concerts,' originally written for her. Ellington himself called these concerts, including the first one, the "most important works he had ever done." Alice Babs' vocal range spanned over three octaves, and Ellington had to enlist the help of three different singers to perform her parts in the concerts.

On-Screen and Off-Screen

Aside from her breakthrough comedy "Swing It, Teacher!," Alice Babs appeared in several other films such as "Det glada kalaset" ("The Merry Party"), "Resan till dej" ("The Journey to You"), "Symphonie in Gold," and "Det svänger på slottet" ("Swing it at the Castle"). Alice Babs was married to Nils Ivar Sjöblom from 1943 until his death in 2011, and they had three children. One of their children, Swedish singer Titti Sjöblom, appeared alongside her mother in advertisements for the chewing gum brand "Toy," which was once extremely popular in Sweden and Norway.

A Life of Service

Alice Babs currently resides in Sweden, where she actively participates in the affairs of the Lutheran Church.