Steamdome Ola Kvernberg

• 1Prologue03:37
• 2And Now07:16
• 3Caterpillar08:43
• 4Black Lemon05:38
• 5Go Up08:33
• 6Above the Dance, Pt. 102:47
• 7Above the Dance, Pt. 203:32
• 8Through the Mantle04:34
• 9Credits06:00
• Total Runtime50:40

Info for Steamdome

Three years after releasing the masterpiece 'The Mechanical Fair', Ola Kvernberg returns with a new magnificent, imaginative, rhythmic deluge of an album: 'Steamdome'.

Fiddle ace Ola Kvernberg has held a prominent place in the Norwegian music community since his early teens. His family is full of folk musicians, but Ola has carved his own distinctive path. So far, he has composed the music for seven films, has been remixed by Todd Terje, and has collaborated with saxophonist Joshua Redman, crime writer Jo Nesbo, Stian Carstensen, Mathias Eick, Motorpsycho, Pat Metheny and Jimmy Carl Black from the Mothers of Invention - to name just a few.

"Steamdome is both more limitless and more brazen than my previous projects. The time was ripe to wield the broadest paintbrush and stir up the biggest emotions with this band," says Ola. "Maybe a lot of what I have done before appealed to a dedicated audience of listeners, but Steamdome is to a much greater degree a physical experience."

Steamdome changes track, and barrels along into a landscape where rhythmical patterns, beat and groove are the dominant elements. The Mechanical Fair was described as belonging to a "mutton western" genre, and this description is, if anything, even more appropriate now. With three of the country's most innovative drummers on board, the bows, strings and resin have been replaced by sticks, metal and a variety of drums. Steamdome is seething with visual energy. The music winds its way through steep cliffs, far-ranging vistas, sharp curves, sheer drops and nocturnal landscapes where the only anchoring point is the suggestive rhythm of a train that never stops.

Ola Kvernberg, violin, viola, Hammond B3, Vox Continental, harmonium, guitar, theremin, Taurus, drums, percussion
Øyvind Blomstrøm, electric guitar, baritone guitar, pedal steel guitar Nikolai Hængsle, electric bass
Daniel Buner Formo, Hammond B3
Erik Nylander, drums, pandeiro, tambourine, quirky percussion
Hans Hulbækmo, djembe, bongos, tambourine, drums
Børge Fjordheim, drums, prepared autoharp
Gabriel Øien, percussion

Ola Kvernberg
born 1981 is a norwegian composer and violinist. Although known to most audiences as a jazz musician, his works in recent years include numerous albums, movie scores and live projects spanning multiple genres, appearing both as leader and sideman.

Ola grew up in a musical family, playing the fiddle in the folk tradition of his mom and granddad, starting classical training at age 6. At 14, he was awarded 3. Price at 'Concorsi Internazionale di Musica - Città di Stresa' in Italy. At age 16, his father presented him to an album titled 'Two of a Kind', featuring the legendary jazz violinists Svend Asmussen and Stephane Grappelli. The discovery led him to an instant interest in jazz music, eventually joining a number of traditional jazz groups in his neighboring town, Molde.

In 2000, during his final semester at upper secondary school, he presented himself to Jon Larsen of Hot Club de Norvége backstage the annual Django Festival in Oslo. The renowned string swing ambassador instantly invited Ola to sit in on the next set. A few months later, he was invited to record with Hot Club and Manouche guitar virtuoso Jimmy Rosenberg. The much anticipated debut album entitled 'Hot Club de Norvége presents Ola Kvernberg & Jimmy Rosenberg' received a 6/6 stars review in Dagbladet (NO) by norways most significant jazz critic Terje Mosnes, stating '18 year old Kvernberg makes his debut with a display of technique, tone and an idiomatic confidence in his phrasing none less than sensational.' His collaboration with Hot Club resulted in numerous recordings and several tours throughout the following three years.

Aged 20, he began his studies at the Institute of Music at the University of Trondheim, Norway (NTNU). As he seemingly effortlessly blended into any musical context, he quickly became a highly coveted session player on the Norwegian music scene. He spent four prolific years at the University, appearing on close to thirty albums and numerous concerts alongside his studies. His first appearance as a member of the Trondheim Jazz Orchestra was with Erlend Skomsvoll & Pat Metheny in 2003. He is still an associated member of the Trondheim Jazz Orchestra, occationally touring and recording with them.

This album contains no booklet.