06.02.2018
Norwegian jazz pianist Tord Gustavsen took the stage together on 7th February with Tore Brunborg and Jarle Vespestad for a special concert as a part of Akbank Sanat 25th Year Concerts. Replacing the classic Gustavsen trio of drums, piano and bass with drums, saxophone and bass; the performance was also feature Gustavsen playing the synth bass and various electronics. While looking forward to this night, we are taking some time to look at some collaboration highlights from Gustavsen’s career.
Aire & Angels
In the late 90’s Gustavsen came together with fellow Norwegian jazz singer Siri Gjære for a duo project called Aire & Angels. Combining Gustavsen’s soft piano with Gjære’s lyrics and mellow vocals, the duo released Aire & Angels in 1999 and Aire & Angels II in 2002.
Siri Gjære & Tord Gustavsen Aire & Angels ll // Listen.
Nymark Collective
Lead by Norwegian trumpeter and composer Kåre Nymark, Nymark Collective’s members were Mats Eilertsen on the bass, Kenneth Ekornes on the drums and Tord Gustavsen on the piano. The quartet released their first album First Meeting in 2000 from Sonor Records and later got high acclaim with their tribute album of Bessie Smith Revisited - Live in Concert in 2008. After the establishment of Nymark’s new project Kåre Nymark Jr. Band in 2009, the Nymark Collective team has disbanded only to get together at various different projects and events.
Nymark Collective feat. Kristin Asbjornsen - Oh Daddy Blues // Listen.
SKRUK
Formed in 1973 and led by conductor Per Oddvar Hildre for 35 years, SKRUK is one of the most famous choirs of Norway, touring the country and the world extensively. The name SKRUK is an acronym for Sunnmøre kristelege ungdomskor (Sunnmøre Christian youth choir). The choir’s repertoire is a wide selection of traditional Norwegian folk, spiritual, ethnic and jazz music. SKRUK is also known for their collaborations with various names, and a frequent name that comes across is Tord Gustavsen. SKRUK has released over 20 recordings and Gustavsen was featuring in Krybberom (2003) ve Sommerlandet (2004) of them as the pianist, and in dype stille sterke milde (2006) as a part of Nymark Collective’s collaboration with the choir.
SKRUK & Mahsa Vahdat - Brevet Til Vinbæreren // Listen.
Silje Nergaard
One of Norway’s best-selling jazz vocalists and songwriters, Silje Nergaard claimed international success with the song “Tell Me Where You Are Going”, which features famous musician Pat Metheny on the guitars. Gustavsen has been a frequent collaborator in Nergaard’s career, taking charge of the piano in her Port of Call (2000), At First Light (2001) and Nightwatch (2003) albums as well as sharing the stage with her at the Koln concert which came out in DVD.
Tell me where you are going - Silje Nergaard // Listen.
Carl Petter Opsahl
Tord Gustavsen has been a constant support in Norwegian jazz musician, academician, priest and journalist Carl Petter Opsahl’s music career. Playing the piano in all of Opsahl’s three studio albums, namely Ingodalen (2001) Improvisions (2005) and Love, The Blues (2008), Gustavsen has been touring with the musician in the early 2000’s. On a different note, Opsahl has also been a key figure in helping the victims in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina and has been awarded in Moldejazz Festival in Norway for this work.
Carl Petter Opsahl - Love, The Blues // Listen.
Simin Tander
While Tord Gustavsen has been focusing on various collaborations in the first decade of 21st century, he has shifted his focus mainly on projects and touring with various formations of his own ensemble in the 2010’s. Yet a significant recent collaboration has been with German/ Afghan musician Simin Tander, whose latest album What Was Said came out in 2016 from legendary jazz label ECM. Gustavsen, and another name from his ensemble, Jarle Vespestad, collaborated with Tander for this album, which won the album of the year award from The German Critics Association as well as receiving high praise from various jazz critics and media.
Tord Gustavsen feat. Simin Tander & Jarle Vespestad »What was said« // Listen.