Jazz Articles about Haakon Graf

About Haakon Graf

Album Review

Haakon Graf/Erik Smith/Per Mathisen: Sunrain

Read "Sunrain" reviewed by Geno Thackara

by Geno Thackara
November 25, 2016

Digging into the staggered groove of “Santa Monica" during an end-of-2014 performance in Oslo's Olsen Bar, Haakon Graf glides along the keys in an easygoing manner to begin building the show's energy. The electric trappings of '70s Jeff Beck come to mind--albeit without the guitar--alongside the sound of classic outfits like Weather Report and Herbie Hancock's Headhunters. His bandmates keep up at a mid-tempo trot. Erik Smith's drumming coasts steadily with plenty of splashes to avoid going anywhere near static. ...

Album Review

Haakon Graf/Erik Smith/ Per Mathisen: Sunrain

Read "Sunrain" reviewed by Mark Sullivan

by Mark Sullivan
October 3, 2016

"Sunrain" is a common Scandinavian weather phenomenon: after weeks of rain, there are often clouds with showers pouring down as the sun peers through the other side. Keyboardist/composer Haakon Graf considers it “a metaphor for the fabric of life, a place between a smile and a tear, like my music..." His trio with drummer Erik Smith and bassist Per Mathisen began performing live in 2011. The liners name them Norway's leading jazz-funk trio, and based on the music here that ...