Wavemakers

Alex Ventling Wavemakers is a nordic chamber-jazz quartet led by the Swiss-New Zealand pianist and composer Alex Ventling. As the name suggests, Wavemakers build large momentum, forming distinct “groove-organisms”, where each musician shares an equal role in the interweaving musical tapestry. Influenced by nordic jazz, impressionist classical music, minimal music and free improvisation, Wavemakers moves between cinematic atmospheres and driving grooves, living and breathing through close interaction and long-form development. The unusual instrumentation is distinctive, where rhythmic prepared piano, drum machines, and bowed vibraphone are some of their hallmark textures.

Formed at Trondheim’s renowned NTNU jazz department in 2021, the band features rising-stars of the Norwegian jazz scene, known for their work with artists such as Mats Eilertsen, Lage Lund, Liv Andrea Hauge, etc. Following performances across clubs and festivals in Norway, Germany, Switzerland and Japan, their debut album was released in 2025 to strong international reviews and has become widely recognised for its viral live-videos (see below). The quartet is currently preparing Wavemakers II, to be released in 2026.

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