The Associated Press reports that Swedish jazz pianist Esbjorn Svennson died in a diving accident off a small island near Stockholm. He was 44.

The report continues to say that Svennson was the bandleader of E.S.T. (Esbjorn Svennson Trio), one of the international jazz scene’s most successful and critically acclaimed trios. According to the band’s Web site, Svensson grew up with drummer Magnus Ostrom, but it wasn’t until 1993 when they officially founded E.S.T. with bassist Dan Berglund.

The band is recognized for its unique melding of traditional jazz and classical components with the modern elements of electronic sampling and alternative textural and structural devices. Dan Ouellette wrote in his Downbeat cover story of the band (May 2006) that Svensson’s playing showed the influence of Bill Evans and Thelonious Monk. E.S.T. is the only European group to have graced the cover of that publication.

The AP reports that among other awards, the trio was named Best International Artist in the 2003 BBC Jazz Awards.

E.S.T.’s manager Burkhard Hopper says in the AP report that “there was a certain mystique about his music and the interplay with his fellow musicians was absolutely unique.”

E.S.T. had recently finished recording its twelfth album, Leukocyte, to be released in September.