Tord Gustavsen Ensemble


This is music that sings, at once gentle and robust. Listeners are invited into a musical uni¬verse of tender lyricism and subtle funkiness.

Pianist Tord Gustavsen has released three critically acclaimed albums on ECM Records with his trio. He has toured extensively worldwide over a period of five years. Now, Tord launches his new ensemble, with a 2009 album release and a release tour. The new ensemble operates in duo, trio, quartet, and even quintet versions. It features Tore Brunborg on saxophones; Mats Eilertsen on bass; and Jarle Vespestad on drums. And on selected concerts, as well as on the forthcoming album release, the ensemble also includes singer Kristin Asbjørnsen.

The extended ensemble is a natural prolongation of Tord’s trio work, but also adds new colours and dimensions to Tord’s music – through the sensibilities of some of the finest and most intriguing players on the vibrant and eclectic Scandinavian jazz scene. The music shows traces of inspiration from sources as diverse as Scandinavian folk music; Caribbean music; early blues, gospels and hymns; and Impressionism – but all transformed and integrated into a in a highly original universe.
The upcoming album is built on music written as a commissioned work for the Vossajazz Festival in Norway 2008, but the material has been transformed and re-worked for the album format.

Selected reviews:

• "A trilogy [that] could be the most essential jazz document of the last ten year. Sublime." (Independent on Sunday, UK)
• "Gustavsen's tunes are hypnotically strong." (The Guardian, UK)
• "A dozen contemplative wonders.. A fascinating interplay between abstraction and gospel roots" (Billboard Magazine, USA)
• "eines der schönsten Klaviertrio-Alben des Jahres .. 'Being There' geht ganz unter die Haut." (Stern)
• "Sog des Wohlklangs. ... als Meister der kleinen Form, Magier der Melodie, expressiver Bändiger der Impression und Verfeinerer des nordischen Blues präsentierte er sich mit seinem Trio.." (live review in Süddeutsche Zeitung)

Bios

Tord Gustavsen (piano) | Pianist Tord Gustavsen has released three critically acclaimed albums on ECM Records with his trio. The music shows traces of inspiration from sources as diverse as Scandinavian folk music; Caribbean music; early blues, gospels and hymns; and Impressionism –but all transformed and integrated into a in a highly original universe. Before starting his solo career, Tord had already been an important part of the Norwegian jazz scene for several years. His playing has formed a cornerstone in projects featuring some of the finest Norwegian singers, including Silje Nergaard, Kristin Asbjørnsen and Solveig Slettahjell. The urge for individual expression fuses with acutely attentive listening in creative interplay, making Tord a very special experience both as a soloist and as an ensemble player. His way of conversing jazz history with 'Nordic' reflective moods and lyrical beauty brings about an intriguing voice on today's music scene. Tord Gustavsen has been touring world-wide with his projects the last 5-6 years, playing at major festivals and concert halls in for example Australia, USA, Canada, the UK, Germany, France, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Poland, Turkey, Japan, Korea, and the Scandinavian countries.

Jarle Vespestad (drums) | The kind of sublime minimalism Jarle stands for has very few if any parallels in the world of drummers, and still he is also really groovy in his own way. His lyrical emphasis, and the highly responsive interplay developed between Tord and him over the years, are essential elements of the musical texture. Jarle also plays with key Scandinavian bands Supersilent and Farmers Market. In Tord’s quartet, Jarle alternates with one of the other most interesting Norwegian drummers: Rune Arnesen.


Mats Eilertsen (acoustic bass) | Mats plays with a unique combination of solid accompaniment and constant creative thinking, making him a very special musical partner. He works bands like Parish, Food, Jacob Young Group, Wolfert Brederode Quartet, and The Source.


Tore Brunborg (saxophone) | Tore’s approach to music is quite unique in the world of saxophonists, taking Jan Garbarek’s innovations in European jazz to new levels throughout his career since the early 80’s. Tore has a strong lyrical ‘voice’ on his instrument, bridging Scandinavian folk music influences with American traditions in a very special way. He is the perfect complement to Tord’s melodic playing, and their interplay has gone far beyond the normal roles of ‘soloist’ and accompaniment – they play together in an integrated ‘musical organism’. Tore’s experience as a band leader and ensemble musician covers a wide range of the most important European jazz musicians over several decades, with the legendary Norwegian group Masqualero as a starting point in the 1980’s. He has played with Jon Christensen, Arild Andersen, Jon Balke, Nils Petter Molvær, Bugge Wesseltoft, Anders Jormin to name a few – and he also currently leads a quartet with British pianist John Taylor.

Kristin Asbjørnsen (vocals – on selected concerts only) | Kristin’s roots lies in both the singer/songwriter tradition and the groove-based world music as well as the contemporary jazz scene. Her trademark sound is rich with contrasts and dynamics, with strong melancholy and a feisty devilish energy. Kristin has a unique voice, and is a master of smooth tone, organic distortion, and bright and complicated singing techniques. Kristin’s 2006 album “Wayfarin’ Stranger” have won several music prices, and has reached a broader audience in France and Germany, and reached platinum sales in her native Norway. In 2009 Kristin released her first solo album based on her own song writing, and was met with high praises from critics and public alike.

 

On Tour

Images

Photos by: Hans Fredrik Asbjørnsen