When I started Bent's Blue Rhythm Band in 1974 I had for years already been listening to and admired another big band Kustbandet, in which I was at the same time offered a seat. I am still a member and have also contributed with many of the band´s arrangements.

Gösta Hägglöf , who managed the band for 20 years took it to United States in 1977 and we played on Storyville Club, N.Y.C. for two weeks continuing to Cincinnati and Minneapolis. The band performed in A Praire Home Companion and came back 2003 for another air shot. Since 1984 it has been lead by Jens Lindgren who took us on tours around Europe and to Japan (91), Australia (93) and Malaysia-Indonesia in 1997. The band visited the Edinburgh Festival in 1986 -87 & -91. This year we also performed in Breacon, Wales for BBC 2 television July 1988 the City Of London Festival was opened by The Lord Mayor and Kustbandet at the Barbican Centre The years 1992-93 and 1998 we played at the Nobel Prize Party in Stockholm Town Hall. This was arranged through the influential contacts of our tuba player Bo Juhlin Among the guest soloists have been Benny Carter (Swedish Television 1980), Doc Cheatham, Kenny Davern, Dan Barrett, Carol Leigh, Theis Jensen, Bob Hunt and Arne Domnérus.