Jazz Articles about Tord Gustavsen

Tord Gustavsen Ensemble: Restored, Returned

by Ian Patterson
July 16, 2010

A spare beauty has characterized all of pianist Tord Gustavsen's trio recordings, and in this sense Restored and Returned is a natural continuation of his musical journey, with space and subtle dynamics characterizing these intimate compositions. What sets this recording apart from his most recent efforts is mainly the addition of vocalist Kristen Asbjørnsen, who brings a strongly personal, husky blues tone to the tunes she interprets, based on the poetry of W.H. Auden. Whether in duo, trio or quartet ...

Tord Gustavsen Ensemble: Restored, Returned

by John Kelman
February 11, 2010

With three albums mining a seemingly narrow area--and proving just how broad that territory really--Norwegian pianist Tord Gustavsen changes gears with Restored, Returned. Abandoning the longstanding trio that, with Changing Places (ECM, 2003), The Ground (ECM, 2005), and Being There (ECM, 2007), brought him greater international acclaim, Restored's quintet remains relatively introspective in tone. Still, with singer Kristin Asbjørnsen and saxophonist Tore Brunborg--whose recent Lucid Grey (DRAVLE, 2009) received its own share of well-deserved attention--Gustavsen's palette is expanded, allowing him ...

Tord Gustavsen Ensemble at Royal Northern College of Music

by David McLean
November 16, 2009

Tord Gustavsen Ensemble Royal Northern College of Music Manchester, England October 21, 2009

With the imminent release of Restored, Returned (2009, ECM) exclusively in the UK, Norwegian pianist Tord Gustavsen makes his British live debut with his new ensemble at Manchester's Royal Northern College of Music as part of a set of exclusive dates throughout the country. Returning percussionist Jarle Vespestad is joined by fellow esteemed countrymen bassist Mats Eilertsen and, augmenting the ...

Tord Gustavsen Ensemble and the Kit Downes Trio at The Forum

by Bruce Lindsay
October 28, 2009

Tord Gustavsen Ensemble, Kit Downes TrioThe ForumNorwich, UKOctober 18, 2009Pianist Tord Gustavsen is one of the more cerebral composers and musicians in contemporary jazz. His music is beautifully written and played--engaging, delicate and atmospheric--and although it always seems to be performed with restraint it can nevertheless develop a groove of its own, especially in the hands of Gustavsen's new Ensemble. Their gig, in the atrium of Norwich's Forum, was part of a major British tour. ...

Tord Gustavsen: Being There

by Joao Moreira dos Santos
April 2, 2008

It's no surprise to fans of pianist Tord Gustavsen's trio that its most recent release, Being There (ECM, 2007), was selected as 2007 Album of the Year by the critics of UK's Jazz Review. Born in Norway, this jazz Viking may well be on a world crusade for soulful and meaningful music, armed only with his meditative piano and lyrical compositions.

AAJ contributor João Moreira dos Santos spoke with Gustavsen recently, about his background, how he ...

Tord Gustavsen Trio: Being There

by AAJ Italy Staff
October 9, 2007

Terzo CD del trio del pianista norvegese Tord Gustavsen (dopo Changing Places e The Ground), questo At Home è un lavoro intimistico e rarefatto ma che, pur inserendosi nella tradizione nordica, vi immette alcune interessanti variabili. In primo luogo, nel trio appare più rilevante il ruolo della batteria rispetto a quello rivestito dal contrabbasso; poi, le tracce sono tutte caratterizzate da un certo melodismo, che fa da ancoraggio all'esplorazione dei meri suoni; infine, fanno da “paletti” allo sviluppo dell'album alcuni ...

Tord Gustavsen Trio: Being There

by Budd Kopman
June 20, 2007

The full measure of the achievement of pianist Tord Gustavsen's Being There can really only be gained by going back to his two earlier ECM releases, Changing Places (2003) and The Ground (2005). The phenomenal reaction to the first album was surprising and begs an explanation. The simplest would be that Gustavsen's music can sit quietly in the background, offending no one and providing soothing relief for this tempestuous world. While that would not ...