Tord Gustavsen Trio
Opening
Tord Gustavsen is one of the most active and influential driving forces on the Scandinavian jazz scene, which is particularly blessed with exceptional musicians, and he is doubtlessly Norway‘s most outstanding jazz pianist and composer. Ever since his early works, he has explored styles and elements of music outside of his genre which are then taken on board in his compositions and improvisations, thereby considerably extending the acoustic jazz trio‘s repertoire in an everlasting quest to expand his horizon. Jarle Vespestad has been his long-time companion on this journey; his subtle, exceptionally multilayered percussion carries, structures and contrasts the pianist‘s skilful chord studies. Neither of them are scared of using electronic equipment to alienate their ‚hand-played‘ music. New addition Steinar Raknes on the bass contributes a solid counterpoint that seamlessly slots into the gaps between the two ‚old masters‘.
The programme presents their new album Opening, whose title says it all. The music is characterised by a distinctive openness based on generous improvisations, and by a tendency to let secrets and melodies reveal themselves at their own pace. ‚It feels better to mount the soundscapes in a more organic way, and to give the melodies free rein when they want to come of their own accord,‘ explains Tord Gustavsen. He says that he loves ‚just letting themes emerge from the darkness before they disappear again, almost unnoticed, into the shady undercurrent‘. This, too, reflects the great pianist‘s impressive mastery.
