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Jazz Articles about Gard Nilssen
Gard Nilssen, Shoko Nagai, Aaron Parks, Maryanne de Prophetis & More
by Ludovico Granvassu
Enjoy a playlist that brings together energy, intimacy, and creative identity, moving across projects that blur boundaries between electric and acoustic, structure and freedom. From the personal, groove-inflected vision of Maurício Fleury's debut to the explosive collective force of Gard Nilssen's expanded Acoustic Unity, the music thrives on momentum and risk. This set also focuses on Aaron Parks and Shoko Nagai, each featured in two contrasting settings.Happy listening!Playlist Ben Allison “Mondo Jazz Theme (feat. Ted Nash ...
Continue ReadingThomas Strønen, Gard Nillsen, Things Of This Nature & Atlas Maior
by Maurice Hogue
Norway is a country that punches way above its weight when it comes to producing excellent jazz musicians, and two of the best drummers from that country have released excellent recordings of late: Thomas Strønen & Time Is A Blind Guide's Off Stillness and Gard Nilssen with an expanded Acoustic Unity, celebrating their tenth anniversary. The contrast between their approaches to drumming, composition and concepts is notable. Speaking of notable, the young quartet, Things Of This Nature, is making a ...
Continue ReadingBugge Wesseltoft: Am Are
by John Eyles
Jens Christian Bugge Wesseltoft was born in Porsgrunn, Norway, in February 1964 , the son of Erik, a guitarist. Thankfully, he was soon just known as Bugge and people learned that his first name is pronounced “Boogie" not “Bug" or “Bugga... “ Having flirted with a punk band that he did not enjoy much, Wesseltoft moved towards jazz, in particular to the style identified as “future jazz" or nu jazz.In 1995, Wesseltoft formed his own five-member band, called ...
Continue ReadingGard Nilssen Acoustic Unity: Great Intentions
by John Eyles
Gard Nilssen was born in June 1983 in Skien, Norway, and raised in a musical family consisting of drummers. With a background of marching bands and big bands, it was no surprise that drums became his instruments of choice. He got his musical education on the jazz program at Trondheim Musikkonservatorium. Later on, he became a performer, composer, producer and bandleader and moved to Oslo, becoming one of the most sought-after and active drummers on the European scene. ...
Continue ReadingGard Nilssen, Antonio Borghini, Ehwald/Schultze/Rainey
by Maurice Hogue
Norwegian powerhouse drummer Gard Nilssen marks his move to a new label, Action Jazz, by releasing two live sessions from recent years. ... And It's Yours Forever is with his ultra-dynamic Supersonic Orchestra, while the second is with his Acoustic Unity trio, recorded when they were serving as a back-up band to Norwegian singer Susanne Sundfør.Other new releases from Europe sampled include a brilliant trio recording by Peter Ehwald, Stefan Schultze & Tom Rainey, Italian bassist Antonio Borghini and his ...
Continue ReadingBushman's Revenge: All the Better For Seeing You
by Glenn Astarita
The eleventh album from the celebrated Norwegian trio Bushman's Revenge is an entrancing exploration of avant-garde jazz and rock fusion. Released in September 2023, the album highlights the band's prowess in pushing boundaries while delivering a raw, energetic musical experience.The trio--guitarist Even Helte Hermansen, bassist Rune Nergaard, and drummer Gard Nilssen---demonstrate a remarkable synergy throughout. Their collective improvisational skills create an electrifying atmosphere which engages the listener from start to finish.The album's tracks exhibit a dynamic ...
Continue ReadingAndre Roligheten: Marbles
by Chris May
Tenor saxophonist André Roligheten is best known outside his native Norway, and wider Scandinavia, as a member of drummer Gard Nilssen's Acoustic Unity and as a composer/arranger in the berserker big band, Supersonic Orchestra. Nilssen returns the favour on Marbles, one of Roligheten's infrequent own-name releases. The album has grown out of a band Roligheten put together in spring 2021 for the Trondheim Jazz Festival, which had commissioned a new piece from him. The band was called ...
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