— From four nights in Bethlehem.
Almost 20 years ago, Solveig Slettahjell , Tord Gustavsen and Sjur Miljeteig spent four nights in the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. Here, after both pilgrims and Franciscan monks had settled down, they recorded Christmas carols on an 1882 Steinway that belonged to the city's music conservatory.
The result was the album Night in Bethlehem —a moving, intimate interpretation of some of the most beautiful songs from both Norwegian and American hymn traditions; from Silent Night and My Heart Always Wanders to gospel-inspired arrangements of Sleep Holy Babe and O Little Town of Bethlehem .
"The music is subdued, both devotional, fragile and solemn. This is music for contemplation and reflection."
— The Norwegian newspaper
Both Slettahjell and Gustavsen have visited us a number of times before. Now they are coming for the first time. Ramme together with trumpeter Sjur Miljeteig. We are looking forward to it!
Solveig Slettahjell vocals
Sjur Environmental Protection Trumpet
Tord Gustavsen piano
Duration approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. The concert has no intermission. Feel free to combine the concert with dinner or a complete stay at Ramme Fjordhotell .
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Solveig Slettahjell grew up in Steinkjer and Orkanger. Her breakthrough came with Silver and the Slow Motion Quintet, which earned her the Spellemannprisen in 2004. In the same year, she received both the Radka Toneff Memorial Prize and the Kongsberg Jazz Festival's Grand Musician Prize. She has also worked with contemporary music, including in the vocal trio vonDrei and with the ensemble Poing, and she has taught at the Music Conservatory in Kristiansand. In 2020, she received the Buddy Prize for her contributions to Norwegian jazz, both as a performer and educator.
Sjur Miljeteig was a member of Jaga Jazzist in the band's early years. He later recorded two albums with Peder Kjellsby in the duo Friko and was a regular member of Slettahjell's Slow Motion ensembles. He debuted as a solo artist in 2013. He has also written a lot of music for theater, and in 2016 he received the Hedda Prize for sound design for Solaris korrekt at Det Norske Teatret.
Tord Gustavsen grew up in Hurdal, where he played in church from a young age. He first took a degree in psychology and then studied jazz at the Trondheim Conservatory of Music. The 2003 trio album Changing Places became ECM's most successful debut in ten years, and the follow-up The Ground went all the way to the top of the VG-lista. He has since released a number of albums on ECM in trio, quartet and ensemble, and Restored, Returned earned him the Spellemannprisen. Since 2017, he has been cantor and jazz pianist at Tanum Church in Bærum.
We wish you an enjoyable, unique concert experience with us. Welcome!
Photo: Agnete Brun