— Jazz all the way to the heart.
Finally, we get the Tord Gustavsen Trio to Havlystparken — and we can look forward to experiencing what the British Independent describes as “a trilogy that could be the most essential jazz document of the last ten years.” We dare to promise a concert of jazz that hits deep inside the heart.
"Every note is perfectly placed"
—The Times, UK
The trio has released six critically acclaimed albums on the legendary ECM Records over the past 20 years. They were the first band to ever top the VG-lista for a purely instrumental album, and have also been among the top 10 on American Billboards. Nasjonal Jazzscene describes the trio as follows: With low-church high-pitched voices and bluesy melodies that smell of fresh soil, they give the audience both what they want and what they didn't know they needed. Welcome!
Tord Gustavsen piano
Steinar Raknes bass
Jarle Vespestad drums
Duration approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes. The program is without intermission.
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Tord Gustavsen is back in trio form and in 2024 released his tenth album under his own name on the legendary label ECM Records, with a new angle on the melodious and thoughtful jazz that has captivated listeners all over the world. Tord's three trio albums from 2003 to 2007 — Changing Places, The Ground and Being There — received a sensational response from both audiences and critics, and the trio became the first band ever to have an instrumental album reach number one on the VG-lista in Norway. Music critics around the world saw special and strong qualities in Gustavsen's playing and in the trio's distinctive, charged minimalism and stripped-down beauty.
Since then, Gustavsen has released strong albums in other formats, and two new trio albums in 2018 and 2022, in addition to side projects with, among others, Solveig Slettahjell, Kristin Asbjørnsen, Mahsa Vahdat, Det norske Jentekor, Oslo Domkor, as well as work as a conductor and musical director. He has won the Spellemannsprisen and NOPA's Music Prize for best popular musical composition, and received numerous other critical awards. His album from 2016, with the Afghan-German vocalist Simin Tander, won the “Jahrespreis der Deutschen Shcallplattenkritik” as one of the 12 best albums of the year in Germany regardless of genre. Tord has toured actively in large parts of the world and played at festivals and in concert halls from California to New Zealand.
The relaunched Tord Gustavsen Trio has the renowned bassist Steinar Raknes as a new member, along with drummer Jarle Vespestad , who has been on all of their releases. Steinar brings his own form of virtuoso foundations and strong solo elements into the trio's established universe, enriching the whole with new musical layers. Tord's constant search for the pure and beautiful tone in each verse played has become a strong trademark. With exquisite sensitivity and intense interaction, this trio delivers melodious and creative chamber jazz.
The repertoire is a musical dialogue between Tord's original compositions, hymn tunes and free improvisations. The music has been described as “wordless hymns” or “abstract gospel”. Everything finds its natural place in the new but recognizable Tord Gustavsen universe — a universe where the strong melody leads the way, and the meditative presence determines what happens next.
The trio released the album Seeing in the fall of 2024, completing a trilogy of new trio albums. The release was followed by concerts in, among others, the USA, Canada, the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, France, Belgium and Norway.
Welcome to a unique musical experience!
Photo: Sam Harfouche