Jazz Articles about Opsvik & Jennings

Opsvik & Jennings: Commuter Anthems

by Seamus Seoighe
December 6, 2007

Eivind Opsvik and Aaron Jennings describe Commuter Anthems as such: “If you've ever wondered what it would sound like if a bassist/tunesmith from Norway teamed up with a guitarist/software enthusiast from Oklahoma to make music--well, this is it. Not so much a spectacle of international diversity, Commuter Anthems delivers itself more as a cohesive blend of electronica, acousticism and lyrical accessibility, bringing these elements together for a musical impact reminiscent of an old-world classical symphony. “Last Country ...

Opsvik & Jennings: Commuter Anthems

by John Kelman
July 8, 2007

In an unusual move, Norway's Rune Grammofon label has released an album recorded in New York City. But while multi-instrumentalist/sound manipulator Aaron Jennings hails from the American Midwest, there is a Scandinavian connection. Residing in New York for nearly a decade, and establishing himself as a flexible bassist with artists including saxophonist David Binney and pianist Kris Davis, Oslo-born Eivind Opsvik is an even more diverse multi-instrumentalist, adding percussion, keyboards and theremin as a primary instrument.

Opsvik & Jennings' second ...

Opsvik & Jennings: Commuter Anthems

by Troy Collins
May 19, 2007

Commuter Anthems is the sophomore follow up to Floyel Files (NCM East, 2005), the debut recording of the duo of Norwegian-born bassist Eivind Opsvik and guitarist Aaron Jennings, originally hailing from Tulsa, Oklahoma. While their previous effort was promising enough, it sometimes drifted a little too close to becoming pleasant aural wallpaper. This release shows remarkable growth and compositional maturity, demonstrating intricate writing, recording and arranging skills.

Relying less on virtuosic jazz improvisation than composing creative instrumental music ...