Arne Gunnar Valter Hülphers, born on April 4, 1904, in Trollhättan, Sweden, was a prominent Swedish jazz pianist and bandleader renowned for his contributions to the jazz scene in Sweden and Europe. He grew up in Åbo, Finland, before moving to Malmö, Sweden, in 1923. Hülphers pursued his studies at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm, where he graduated with a music director's degree in 1929 and an organist's degree in 1931.

Early in his career, Hülphers performed at the club Felix-Kronprinsen from 1924 to 1927 and played in various dance bands throughout the early 1930s. In 1934, he founded his own ensemble, which became one of Sweden's leading jazz big bands, comparable to Europe's most renowned orchestras. This ensemble toured extensively across Europe and recorded until 1940, featuring notable musicians like Miff Görling, Zilas Görling, and Thore Jederby.

Despite his success, dissatisfaction among his band members, partly due to his engagements in Germany and his perceived pro-German stance during the early 1940s, led to the dissolution of his big band in 1940. Hülphers continued to work in Germany until 1942 and later led various orchestras focused on popular music styles.

In 1956, Hülphers married the famous singer Zarah Leander, whom he had previously accompanied as a bandleader. They remained married until his death on July 24, 1978, in Norrköping Municipality, Sweden. Throughout his career, Hülphers was also known for his work as an accompanist and his involvement in the Swedish entertainment industry, including roles as a kapellmästare at Royal-Revyn and Södra Teatern in Stockholm.