Kjetil Jerve: piano
Andreas Wildhagen: drums
Henrik Munkeby Nørstebø: trombone

Think of Scandinavian jazz and two extremes come to mind – the meandering, softly intoned lines of players such as Arve Henriksen, Jan Garbarek and Nils Petter Molvaer on the one hand, and the fierce, thrusting improv of Paal Nilssen-Love and Mats Gustafsson on the other. Norway’s Lana Trio clearly like both of these things and in their music they attempt to find a delicate balance between intense, free jazz and exploration of more open-ended and non-idiomatic free improvisations.

The three musicians began to play together after meeting at Sund Folk college in 2007. Trombonist Henrik Munkeby Nørstebø explores both the brassy and boisterous side of the trombone and its microscopic and electronic sound possibilities, and he brings both elements into play with the trio. Together with pianist Kjetil Jerve and drummer Andreas Wildhagen the trio explore ways in which parameters like density, speed, duration and volume can be stretched (or compressed) to create different possibilities for interplay between the three musicians.

Their music moves in several, contrasting directions. Between abstract sound-oriented experiments, exploration of loose pulses along with dense and energetic interplay. Its level of energy is much higher than most other experimental Norwegian outfits who opt to follow the Sofa Music school of minimal and static improvisations, including Nørstebø’s own As Deafness Increases. The experimental side does not affect the fast and intuitive interplay that this trio has solidified through years of playing together.

Tilt

Ron Caines: saxophones
Gus Garside: double bass
Dave Fowler: drums

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The Wildcard Quartet

Safehouse and Spirit of Gravity are teaming up again – this time for an Oxjam all-dayer on Saturday 18th October.

There will be sets from I’m Dr Buoyant, Noteherder & McCloud, Nil, SafeGrav Orchestra, Broken Star and Ron Caines, Tidal Surge (Al Strachan and VV) and TR Agency.

Interspersed with these sets will be Wildcard Quartes made up of Safehouse members and regulars.

Come down and get an earful! The gig is at our usual Safehouse venue – Good Companions pub on Dyke Road.

This London based improvising trio formed in February 2012, playing their first gig in a church with a very beautiful and complex acoustic – they instantly felt there was great potential the configuration and have played regularly since. They enjoy the freedom afforded by the separate acoustic spaces of their instruments and their complimentary musical personalities to make a music full of vibrant interaction.

Their first CD is called Zubeneschamali and is available on Leo Records.

Tom Jackson is a highly accomplished clarinettist and saxophonist based in London and works in the fields of contemporary classical and free improvisation; performing throughout Europe and beyond.

Like Tom, guitarist Daniel Thompson is a key figure amongst the up and coming generation of improvisers in London. Following a life changing period of study with legendary guitarist John Russell he now performs regularly in London and Europe and is an important organiser of concerts.

Roland Ramanan is one of the most highly regarded trumpet players on the London improvised music scene and has performed with Evan Parker and Peter Brotzmann.

Plus

Gus Garside: double bass
Annie Kerr: violin
Kev Moore: electronics

Plus

Wildcard Quartet