Ola Gustafsson

Ola Gustafsson, born in Luleå in 1969, has been one of Sweden’s most in-demand guitarists, musicians, and producers for over 35 years. With collaborations ranging from Lars Winnerbäck and Eva Dahlgren to international stars like Britney Spears, Gustafsson is a well-known name in both Swedish and international music circles. As a young man, he played football with Notvikens IK, basketball with Vråken, and volleyball with Lule Volley. But when his father Björn, who worked with the Norrbotten Sports Federation, introduced him to the basic chords of the guitar, a lifelong passion was born. After finishing school, music took over entirely. A move to Stockholm in 1990—encouraged by friend and Bo Kaspers Orkester musician Mats Schubert—marked the beginning of a career that quickly took off. Today, Gustafsson is an integral part of Sweden’s music scene and has performed on everything from Allsång på Skansen to major arenas across the Nordic countries, Europe, and the U.S. The list of collaborations is impressive: Eldkvarn, Ulf Lundell, Peter LeMarc, Bo Kaspers Orkester, First Aid Kit, Totta Näslund, Eagle Eye Cherry, Jerry Williams, Melissa Horn, Anna Ternheim, and Mattias Alkberg—to name just a few. His guitar playing has shaped albums such as Winnerbäck’s Daugava, Dahlgren’s Lai Lai, and LeMarc’s Nio broars väg. Some of his favorite concert memories include Peter LeMarc’s farewell concert on Skeppsholmen in 2014 and First Aid Kit at Store Vega in Copenhagen.