Strong Norwegian line-up at London Jazz Festival
Saxophonist Jan Garbarek returns to the capital for an appearance at the London Jazz festival where other Norwegian names include renowned musicians Ketil Bjørnstad and Tord Gustavsen Trio.
London Jazz Festival, in association with BBC Radio 3, takes place from 16 - 25 November and includes the following Norwegian concerts:
Ketil Bjørnstad & Wolfgang Puschnig
Friday 16 November
PizzaExpress Jazz Club
Often described as Norway’s Renaissance man, Ketil Bjørnstad is a writer, poet, pianist and composer. His duet with the brilliant Austrian saxophone/flautist and favoured Carla Bely soloist unites two of Europe’s major jazz figures. Tonight’s set offers an opportunity to savour the music from Ketil’s new Universal CD Devotions, evoking powerful resonance of memory.
Supported by the Norwegian Embassy
Jan Garbarek
Sunday 18 November
Southbank Centre's Royal Festival Hall, 7.30pm
With his unmistakably intense sound, melodic themes and sculptural sonic landscapes that resound with the spirit of his native Norway, saxophonist Jan Garbarek has come to epitomise the sound of ECM, the label he’s called home since the early 70s.
Throughout, he’s pushed the boundaries through his work with the Hilliard Ensemble, forays into Asian music and an ongoing fascination with Scandinavian folk melodies. Tonight’s concert sees a revamped quartet with a brand new addition, French drumming sensation Manu Katché, who, alongside high-profile work with Sting and Peter Gabriel, has appeared on several Garbarek releases, including 2004’s In Praise of Dreams. Expect sounds both timeless and modern, ethereal and earthy from this defining voice in European jazz.
Supported by the Norwegian Embassy
Tord Gustavsen Trio plus Stefano Bollani & Enrico Rava
Wednesday 21 November
Barbican
Avoiding showy technique in favour of clearly stated melody, Norwegian pianist Tord Gustavsen's performances shine with a mesmerising lyricism. Tonight, his acclaimed trio performs pieces from their latest album, Being There, the third part of 'a trilogy that could be the most essential jazz document of the last ten years.' Independent on Sunday
Italian pianist Stefano Bollani gained glowing reviews for his debut British tour earlier this year. This evening he's joined by his mentor - Italian jazz's most globally renowned figure - trumpeter Enrico Rava.
Headlines:
Himmelkvad
Celebrated vocal ensemble Nordic Voices is currently out on its promo tour for their new outing ‘Himmelkvad’, a critically acclaimed album presenting Norwegian composer Lasse Thoresen’s unique vocal universe. MIC Norway takes a closer look at the cutting-edge vocal ensemble and ground-breaking composer.
I was the devil in my younger years
Late Feb sees Enslaved heading out on a month-long European tour. MIC Norway hooked up with Enslaved’s Ivar Peersen to talk about musical cross pollination, inspirational sources, humour and his fascination for singer-songwriter Stein Torleif Bjella.
