Lars Gullin Sällskapet   THE LARS GULLIN PRIZE GOES TO LARS SJÖSTEN Pianist, composer and arranger Lars Sjosten has on the 13th of February 1997 been awarded the LARS GULLIN PRIZE for the first time. The prize has recently been instituted by The Lars Gullin Society, OrkesterJournalen (the world's oldest jazz magazine) and the county of Gotland, where Gullin was born. Sjosten was given the prize "for his of many years deserving way of exercising the musical heritage of Lars Gullin". The prize consists of a beautifully sculptured by artist Evert Lindfors, a concert opportunity with Visby Big Band and a visit to a European jazz festival. During the sixties Lars Sjosten often played at the world famous jazz restaurant The Golden Circle in Stockholm. He played with jazz greats like Ben Webster, Dexter Gordon, Art Farmer and Bernt Rosengren. Lars was also the regular pianist in the great Swedish baritone saxophonist and composer Lars Gullin's groups. They became friends and their cooperation meant a lot to Sjosten's own music making. Through the years Lars Sjosten has led his own groups and also freelanced. He has made many recordings and received public response as well as governmental support. His tours have taken him to metropolises like Paris, Moscow, Vittoria da Praia (the Azores) and Emmaboda. Lars is also an established composer with a flair for strong melodies and beautiful chords. On record you can hear his flowing lines and rich harmonies in recordings in his own name as well as with Dexter Gordon, Lars Gullin, Benny Bailey, Bjarne Nerem, Lee Konitz, Putte Wickman and many others.