Cornelis Vreeswijk
Dutch singer-songwriter and poet active in Sweden (1937–1987)
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Key Takeaways
- Cornelis Vreeswijk (8 August 1937 – 12 November 1987) was a Dutch singer-songwriter and poet who lived and worked primarily in Sweden.
- His unique style blended elements of folk, jazz, and blues, which modernized the Scandinavian ballad tradition.
- Early life and education Cornelis Vreeswijk was born and grew up in the Netherlands, born to Dutch parents in IJmuiden.
- He left school in 1955 and went to sea, where he passed the time playing the blues.
- He was educated as a social worker at Stockholm University and hoped to become a journalist, but became increasingly involved in music, performing at events for students with idiosyncratic humor and social engagement.
Cornelis Vreeswijk (8 August 1937 – 12 November 1987) was a Dutch singer-songwriter and poet who lived and worked primarily in Sweden.
Despite being born in the Netherlands and never acquiring a Swedish citizenship, Vreeswijk is regarded as one of the country's most influential and beloved troubadours, often being compared to other national poets, such as Evert Taube and Carl Michael Bellman for his poetic lyrics and social commentary.
Vreeswijk's compositions often focused on themes of love, poverty, and substance abuse. His unique style blended elements of folk, jazz, and blues, which modernized the Scandinavian ballad tradition.
In 2010, the Swedish drama film Cornelis, directed by Amir Chamdin, was made about his life.
Early life and education
Cornelis Vreeswijk was born and grew up in the Netherlands, born to Dutch parents in IJmuiden. He emigrated to Sweden with his parents in 1949 at the age of twelve. He left school in 1955 and went to sea, where he passed the time playing the blues. He returned to Sweden in 1959. He was educated as a social worker at Stockholm University and hoped to become a journalist, but became increasingly involved in music, performing at events for students with idiosyncratic humor and social engagement.
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