A Symphony of Jazz: John Beasley Premieres New Work with Royal Stockholm Philharmonic!

Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, Jazz

Blue House Jazz with orchestra

John Beasley, Magnus Lindgren and the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra in a unique collaboration. Special guest: vocal virtuoso Michael Mayo.

Many are looking forward to this exciting encounter: John Beasley and Magnus Lindgren join forces with the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra in the Blue House Jazz series, with special guest Michael Mayo!

American pianist John Beasley and multi-instrumentalist Magnus Lindgren have collaborated several times before, and this time it’s with unique arrangements for the symphony orchestra. Alexander Hanson conducts the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra. Among the pieces performed, we have Portraits: a newly composed suite in three movements, created in close collaboration between Lindgren and Beasley, and at the same time, an expression of their friendship.

Grammy Award winning composer, arranger, and pianist John Beasley has performed with legends such as Miles Davis, Freddie Hubbard, Dianne Reeves, Steely Dan, Christian McBride, Chaka Khan, and even one concert with James Brown. He has also worked on film scores, including James Bond movies Skyfall and Spectre. Since 2012, Beasley has been Music Director for the annual global gala International Jazz Day concerts, hosted by the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz.

Magnus Lindgren, along with trumpeter and vocalist Peter Asplund, is the artistic director of the Konserthuset's Blue House Jazz Orchestra. Recently, he was Artist-in-Residence with the SWR Big Band for three years. He has collaborated with a large number of top artists, including Herbie Hancock, Gregory Porter, James Ingram, Bobby McFerrin, Ivan Lins, Till Brönner, and John Scofield.

Special guest is the highly exciting vocal virtuoso Michael Mayo, who has had Herbie Hancock as a mentor, and who seamlessly moves across soul, jazz, R&B, and art music.

  • Participants

  • Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra

  • Alexander Hanson conductor

  • Michael Mayo voice

  • Magnus Lindgren saxophone

  • John Beasley piano

DGL Artists News

New Leadership at DGL Artists: A Fresh Chapter in Music, Mental Health, and Wellness

In June 2024, John Horgeshimer—an educator, composer, and saxophonist—embarked on a new journey as the owner of DGL Artists, a well-respected talent agency. Acquiring the company from his longtime friend and mentor, Del Lyren, John has expanded DGL Artists' services to include tour management, online music lessons, music publishing, and printing. This acquisition marked a significant pivot for John, who brought nearly two decades of experience and an innovative approach to music education into the heart of the industry.

A native of Bemidji, Minnesota, John holds a Doctor of Arts in Music from Ball State University, with a specialization in music theory, composition, and saxophone performance. His academic journey also includes a Master of Music in saxophone performance from the University of Minnesota and a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Bemidji State University. Throughout his career, John has been known for his unconventional and highly effective teaching methods, emphasizing practical application and critical thinking, which prepares students to thrive in the competitive world of music.

John’s impact as an educator is best illustrated by the words of a former student:

“Learning music from H for four years was hands down one of the best experiences I had as a high school student. Rather than use traditional ‘cookie cutter’ music teaching techniques, H encouraged us as young musicians not only to have a sound understanding of the fundamentals of music but also to explore and create music on our own...I can say with full confidence that the music and life lessons that I learned and the laughs that I had in H’s class played a role in shaping me to be who I am today.”

For nearly two decades, John nurtured the musical talents of students across Minnesota, Indiana, and Illinois. His mentorship has propelled many into prestigious university ensembles, professional performances, and successful touring careers. Notably, John played a pivotal role in introducing the JROTC program at his high school in Indiana, demonstrating the versatility and profound influence of his teaching.

John’s professional career is equally impressive. He has performed with legendary ensembles like the Cab Calloway Big Band, the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, and the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra—renowned “ghost” bands that feature alumni and emerging talents. John has collaborated with prominent artists such as pianist Christian Sands, saxophonist Jeff Coffin, and drummer/percussionist Roy “Futureman” Wooten. His bands performed for the Mayor of Indianapolis and the Governor of Indiana.

As a composer, John’s music and presentations have been showcased at international conferences and festivals. “Alexandrine’s Companion” (clarinet, bassoon, double bass) was performed as part of the Ball State University Entrepreneurial Artist Series in 2016. “Oh, One for Sixin’ It!” (saxophone quartet) was performed at the Society of Composers, Inc. National Conference in 2014. John presented “Quartet for Saxophones by Robert Myers” at the Society of Composers, Inc. National Student Conference in 2012.

Parallel to his musical pursuits, John remains deeply committed to mental health and wellness. He works as a Lead Mental Health Practitioner at an Intensive Residential Treatment Services (IRTS) facility in Duluth, serving individuals with complex mental health needs. Additionally, John serves as a Peer Support Specialist with Wellness in the Woods (WITW), a Minnesota-based organization dedicated to promoting mental health recovery through peer-led support and advocacy.

Under John's leadership, DGL Artists is positioned for a new era that blends creativity with a commitment to community well-being. With his extensive background in both music and mental health, John is uniquely prepared to lead the agency forward, where artistic expression and wellness go hand in hand.

For more information on Wellness in the Woods, visit [https://www.mnwitw.org](https://www.mnwitw.org).