Tord Gustavsen Trio
“… one of the most important musicians to have appeared on the European scene since the beginning of the new millennium…” – Couleurs Jazz Radio
With only a few carefully chosen notes, Norwegian pianist Tord Gustavsen draws listeners into a world where melody is cherished as much as the exploration of textures and soundscapes. His bands unite beauty and emotional intensity, touching souls in a way that many describe as spiritual. From the American masters, he adopted instrumentation, the concept of playing songs and improvising on them, and the sensitive interaction between improvisers. He applied these ideas to the church hymns of his youth, the classical music he loved, and the Scandinavian folk music of his homeland. The Tord Gustavsen Trio released several records over the years for ECM, and marked their return with Opening, released in 2022, featuring Gustavsen, bass player Steinar Raknes, and drummer Jarle Vespestad. The recent record takes their inventive interplay to yet another level.
