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Dr Bekken Trio: In Fonk We Trust
by Jim Worsley
With some fresh boogie-woogie powder, just the right amount of handpicked blues, a bit of jazz seasoning, and honky-tonk leaves, all rolled together in the same Zig-Zag, the Dr. Bekken Trio smoked the joint. The crowd at the Lillehammer Mikrobyggeri, in the Olympic city of Lillehammer, Norway, were abuzz the minute the band took the stage. A strong hit of boogie-woogie laced the room with an energized romp on the Tor E Bekken original composition St. Pete." Bassist Mattis Kleppen ...
read moreDr Bekken: Blues
by Jim Worsley
Tor E Bekken is also known in the music world as Dr Bekken. As well, he is known as a distinctive pianist who unearths the blues like a bloodhound on a case. Over the past several years, he has unrooted blues from their deep origins and, consequently, replanted them in fertile ground with even more room to grow and blossom. Studio albums, live recordings, original compositions, and fresh looks at vintage harvests have all grown to maturity in Bekken's fruitful ...
read moreTor Einar Bekken: Help Us In The Hour of Need
by Jim Worsley
Every once in a while, an artist throws a curveball. Blues and jazz pianist Tor E Bekken, renowned for his historical knowledge and authenticity, also has nothing short of a monster left hand. The talented Norwegian has released over a dozen records, including his dynamic upright piano assault Live at Bar Moskus (Blue Mood Records/Grappa, 2017) and the high-spirited Hardcore Piano (Blue Mood Records/Grappa, 2008). Yet it came as a surprise to hear that Bekken's latest release is ...
read moreBekken and Gjems: Spell
by Jim Worsley
Dr. Bekken's last record, Live At Bar Moskus (Blue Mood, 2017), was nominated for a Norwegian Grammy (the Spellemannprisen). That was a hard-driving solo, boogie-woogie upright piano performance. For Spell, the good doctor writes a new prescription for traditional Norwegian folk infused with New Orleans style jazz. Harmonicist Richard Gjems is co-featured. Bekken and Gjems have been collaborating for over ten years now. Gjems has also been nominated for a Spellemannprisen in the past. On this outing he ...
read moreDr Bekken: Upright Piano - Live At Bar Moskus
by Jim Worsley
There is a monster on the loose! Don't be alarmed though. It is the monster left hand of Norwegian pianist Dr. Bekken. Tor E Bekken has several jazz and blues recordings to his name and has taken the show on the road. Live at Bar Moskus is a solo upright piano performance that demonstrates power, finesse, stylistic interpretations, and a grand knowledge of the instrument. A musical descendant of Jelly Roll Morton, Bekken continues his exploration ...
read moreTake Five With Tor E Bekken
by AAJ Staff
Meet Tor E Bekken:Born 1964 in Norway. Played piano since childhood. Professional musician since the late 1980s. Works with blues-based material, as well as free form solo piano improvisation and Norwegian folk music. Played with New Orleans artists such as Marva Wright, Benny Turner, Big Al Carson and the late Eddie Bo. Lives in Trondheim, Norway. Has released seven CDs; the latest, Songs from a Forest, is a duet with harmonica player Richard Gjems.
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