Jesper Lindell: vocals, guitar
Scarlet Rivera: vocals, violin
More than 40 years separate legendary American violinist Scarlet Rivera from rising Swedish rock star Jesper Lindell. Yet these 40 years vanish in the shared vision of music inspired by Bob Dylan and Fabrizio De André. Jesper has translated Fabrizio De André’s "Un Malato di Cuore" from the masterpiece album "Non al Denaro Ne all’Amore Ne al Cielo"—itself inspired by Edgar Lee Masters’ Spoon River Anthology. The song, retitled "Once in a Dream", will be released worldwide on January 10th as part of the EP "Windows Vol. 2", which also includes an inspired cover of Bob Dylan’s "Sweetheart Like You". Jesper will preview "Windows Vol. 2" in Italy, accompanied by Scarlet Rivera—the violinist who stole Dylan’s heart and wrote one of music history’s most beautiful chapters by playing violin on "Hurricane". Scarlet will also pay tribute to Fabrizio De André by singing her rendition of "Hotel Supramonte", recorded in English with backing vocals by the wife of Fabrizio De Andrè Dori Ghezzi. Together, Scarlet and Jesper accompany each other in a series of intimate, exclusive concerts full of surprises, with ever-changing setlists that blend original songs with interpretations of Dylan, De André, Leonard Cohen, and Van Morrison.
Jesper Lindell. At age 13, Jesper was Ludvika’s most talented soccer player. The Swedish working-class town, located northwest of Stockholm, seemed to hold a bright future for him in sports. After a game injury confined him to a wheelchair, his older brother consoled him by teaching him a few guitar chords, opening the door to his future. While still young, Jesper formed his first school bands, Almost Nature and King Harvest (named after a song by The Band), and began writing original songs. BMG offered him a solo deal as a singer-songwriter—a dream come true that soon turned sour when he was pushed toward commercial pop, far from his artistic identity. Undeterred, Jesper’s path became clear, and opportunities followed. His debut album, "Little Less Blue", emerged from a collaboration with producer Benkt Söderberg, father of the acclaimed indie-folk duo First Aid Kit. Jesper’s retro soul-rock sound resonated with Swedish audiences, leading to two years of touring and sharing stages with American artists like Justin Townes Earle and Andrew Combs. In 2019, Jesper released "Everyday Dream", created with Blues Pills bassist Zack Anderson. The album blended rock, blues, and soul in a Van Morrison-inspired style. Backed by a new American label, it received international distribution and rave reviews. Its single "Whatever Happens" achieved critical and commercial success in both Sweden and the U.S., even appearing in the American TV series "The Council of Dad". Jesper also continued collaborating with the Söderberg sisters, performing in an acclaimed Leonard Cohen tribute at Stockholm’s prestigious Dramaten Theatre, which became a cult album. Jesper was poised for global success when the pandemic struck, along with a severe congenital kidney disease that forced him into dialysis three times a week while awaiting a transplant. He returned to Ludvika, opened a recording studio, and reconnected with old friends and memories. A kidney donation from his father marked the turning point, leading to the creation of the magnificent album "Twilights", distributed worldwide by Red Eye. This was followed by the acclaimed "Before the Sun" and "Windows".
Scarlet Rivera: "The Queen of Swords"
The meeting between Bob Dylan and Scarlet Rivera is one of the most intense and romantic moments in rock history, masterfully chronicled in Martin Scorsese’s film about Dylan’s legendary Rolling Thunder Revue tour. The Queen of Swords—a nickname given by the iconic director—refers to the enigmatic red-haired violinist who captivated Dylan, reshaping his music. In 1974, Eric Clapton had recorded all the lead guitar parts for Dylan’s album "Desire". After a long studio session, Dylan took a nighttime drive through Greenwich Village, where he spotted a striking woman with a violin slung over her shoulder. Instead of inviting her for a drink, he brought her to the studio. In a whimsical twist, Dylan muted Clapton’s electric guitar and recorded Scarlet’s violin instead. Dylan ultimately decided that her violin would be the centerpiece of "Desire", marking a groundbreaking moment in rock history. Scarlet’s violin became the defining voice of a vividly colorful album, evoking the Mexican border and more, starting with the electrifying "Hurricane". “Dylan’s most dynamic performance of Hurricane is on stage with his guitar, spitting out lyrics, intensely locking eyes with Scarlet Rivera just a few feet away. It’s electrifying—possibly the most compelling five minutes I’ve ever seen in a rock concert documentary,” noted Splice Today. Scarlet Rivera’s career skyrocketed, as Dylan recognized her genius and hailed her ability to play the violin like a lead guitarist. From then on, her life and career took an unexpected turn. Collaborating with some of the most influential artists of our time, she amassed Grammy nominations and awards, pioneering the use of the electric violin in rock music. From a classical background, Scarlet expanded into genres ranging from rock-jazz fusion to Celtic and New Age music. She has performed at Carnegie Hall, with the Duke Ellington Orchestra, at the Kennedy Center, and even at Venice Carnival in Italy. Her collaborations span legends like Indigo Girls, Tracy Chapman, Eric Andersen, Keb’ Mo’, and Peter Maffay. Fifty years later, Scarlet pays homage to Dylan—the man who changed her life forever—by performing live versions of his songs, including "Señor" and "Blowin’ in the Wind". She also honors great songwriters such as Leonard Cohen and Fabrizio De André, with her translation of the poignant "Hotel Supramonte". Together, Scarlet and Jesper present a fascinating musical journey through timeless songs and storytelling, blending their unique artistry with tributes to the greatest songwriters of our time.
