The Jazz Real Book Dear Old Stockholm and The Folk-Jazz Connection
(E 82) “Dear Old Stockholm” and Folk-Jazz Connection
Standards Rating 7 Difficulty Rating 6
“Dear Old Stockholm,” a jazz arrangement of the Swedish folk tune “Ack Värmeland, du sköna,” exemplifies the rich intersection of folk melody and jazz improvisation. Rooted in the expressive traditions of rural Sweden, the original melody carries emotional depth and lyrical simplicity—qualities that resonate naturally with jazz. Its transformation into a jazz standard began in the 1940s through Scandinavian musicians and gained international attention with recordings by Stan Getz, Miles Davis, and John Coltrane. Like other folk-based jazz pieces such as “Greensleeves” or “Shenandoah,” “Dear Old Stockholm” thrives on the balance between a memorable, singable melody and the harmonic complexity jazz can offer. Both folk and jazz share oral traditions, adaptability, and an emphasis on personal expression. In “Dear Old Stockholm,” the melodic clarity of folk music merges with jazz’s improvisational language, resulting in a timeless tune that bridges geographic, stylistic, and emotional landscapes.