Carling Family, originally from Gothenburg, started playing jazz in 1983. Earlier, they played other music styles, folk music, and classical music, among others. They soon were successful and received international reputation as "Carling Family". Since 1983 they have performed in 17 countries. Already in 1984 they made several TV and radio performances, both in Sweden and in other countries and in the same year they recorded their first LP, "I lost my heart in Dixieland", at Phontastic records. At the turn of the millennium 2000 the German channel RTL II broadcasted a performance of Carling Family from Frankfurt am Main, which could be seen in many countries. Carling Family's playing jazz has evolved from Hot Jazz, Dixieland, Chicago, New Orleans, and Swing to Bebop and 60s Jazz. In spite of this great diversity of styles their music has a distinct personal touch with each member playing several instruments and adding other entertainment such as tap dance and acrobatics to their performances.

Original members:
Hans "Cooling" Carling
Aina Carling
Max Carling
Gerd Carling
Gunhild Carling
Ulf Carling

Members who have come later or who often join in:
Tomas Carling, bass
Anders Holmberg, clarinet, baryton saxophone (see also Carling Big Band)