A 40-year-old pianist and composer who has had a top-20 hit in Sweden's pop charts, Esbjorn Svensson is something of an anomaly.

He is also hugely successful, filling venues the size of the Dome Concert Hall with audiences that span generations.

The key to his phenomenal appeal is the creation of an instantly accessible jazz sound which isn't smooth and doesn't feature Norah Jones.

Formed in Stockholm in 1993, the Esbjorn Svensson Trio - Dan Berglund on bass, Magnus Ostrom on percussion and Svensson on keys - have created a wholly original sound which embraces electronica, dance and folk music while sustaining at its core a talent for jazz improvisation.

It is the result of a teenagehood spent listening to the hippy rock of Hendrix and Deep Purple, a later fascination with the virtuoso improvisation of Thelonious Monk and Chick Corea, and a current admiration for the complex rhythms of Squarepusher and Aphex Twin.

And it means that, while rooted in the tradition of the acoustic piano trio, they have the smoke, light shows and sheer pulling power of a pop group.

In fact, the trio are fast becoming a supergroup, playing 100 or more gigs worldwide every year.

Yet their playfulness and curiosity only seems to increase with every release.

On 11th album Viaticum, which hit the shelves earlier this year, hard-edged drum and bass rhythms jostle with Hendrix-like distortions and infectious pop melodies.

And live the musicians engage in a slow-burning dance, demonstrating a talent for improvisation which is a rare thrill to behold.

Support tonight comes from Norwegian jazz guitarist Eivind Aarset.

Starts at 8pm. Tickets cost £6-£16, call 01273 709709.