DC NORDIC JAZZ in Washington D.C. on January 15th – 23rd, 2006, features some of the finest representatives of today's Nordic jazz scene. Kjetil Møster from Norway performs on January 18.
Five bands from Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland have been invited to perform at Blues Alley in Washington, D.C. in continuation of the IAJE (International Association for Jazz Education) conference in New York.
Concert Schedule:
Jan. 15th - Trio Hear-Hear (Finland)
Jan. 16th - Siggi Flosa Quartet (Iceland)
Jan. 17th - Anderskov Accident (Denmark)
Jan. 18th - Kjetil Møster (Norway)
Jan. 23rd - E.S.T. (Sweden)
Shows at both 8pm and 10pm
The Nordic Way
For some it might come as a surprise that the Nordic jazz scene is thriving. Accustomed to the image of Scandinavia as the region of the ancient Vikings, polar bears, geysers, farmland and cozy half-timbered houses, outsiders might find it hard to believe that the same region is producing world-class music of a kind usually related to the North American urban landscapes. But for us Scandinavians, it's not surprising at all. Since the 1950s, jazz has been an integral part of the Nordic music scene. Early pioneers blended the new music language with the traditional melodies of their home countries. Today's Scandinavian jazz artists engage in something similar, even though their countries today are fundamentally different from when their musical predecessors performed.
Blending is something we have always done. Eclecticism and rhythm perfectly illustrate the multicultural and bristling urbanism of cities like Copenhagen and Stockholm and are beautifully merged with harmonies reminiscent of the vast landscapes of volcanic Iceland, the stunning fjords of Norway, and of the serene woodlands of Finland. Together they create a unique sound that is inherently Nordic.
Kjetil Møster
Møster is the 2006 winner of the International Jazz Festivals Organization (IJFO) Annual International Jazz Award for New Talent. The award recognizes a rising artist under the age of 30. The Norwegian saxophonist is a graduate of the Trondheim Music Conservatory. Møster has played with a large number of bands in Norway, from the Trondheim Jazz Orchestra with Chick Corea and Pat Metheny, to free explorations with Paal Nilssen-Love and Maja Ratkje. 29-year-old Møster was born in Bergen, Norway. He played a number of instruments from the age of six: accordeon, cornet, tuba, and electric guitar, before settling with saxophone at the age of 14.
Band Members (at Nordic Jazz)
At his appearance in New York and Washington, D.C., Møster plays with:
Erlend Skomsvoll (piano) most known for arranging Chick Corea and Pat Metheny’s music for big ensembles with the composers as soloists, gaining overwhelmingly positive response from the press as well as the composers themselves. He is also pianist in the popular Norwegian jazz group Come Shine.
Steinar Raknes (bass) and Håkon Mjåset Johansen (drums) are also young, award-winning musicians, who have played with a large number of groups over the past years, touring all over the world with bands like Urban Connection and Ola Kvernberg Trio.
Discography
Kjetil Møster has appeared on the following 13 albums, including: The Core – Vision (Jazzaway, 2004), Trinity – Sparkling (Jazzaway, 2004) Brat – Please don’t shoot (Moserobie, 2005), MZN3 – MZN3 (Jazzaway Records, 2005), King Midas – the jaguars (Universal Music, 2005) Zanussi Five – Zanussi Five (Moserobie, 2005), Suicide Revolutionary Jazzband Kathekismus des Nihilisten (Gold Disk, 2005), Trondheim Jazzorchestra featuring Chick Corea – Live in Molde (MNJ, 2004)
Albums from Jazzaway Records are available at www.jazzaway.com
Praise for Kjetil Møster
Christopher Porter, Editor of Jazz Times, May 2005, wrote:
"Møster creates fragile sax melodies that seem to come straight from human speech."
Tor Hammerø, puls.no (Norwegian TV2), 2004, wrote:
“Modern, uninhibited, acoustic jazz, at a very high level of quality. This is free and open music, but the melodious aspect is still intact.”
The DC NORDIC JAZZ week is organized and funded by the embassies of Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland.
For more information contact:
Blues Alley - (202) 337-4141 or
Festival Coordinator - (202) 797 5389
