Arve Henriksen, Trygve Seim, Anders Jormin, Markku Ounaskari
Biography Arve Henriksen, Trygve Seim, Anders Jormin, Markku Ounaskari
Arve Henriksen
Born in 1968 and a graduate of the Trondheim Conservatory, he began performing internationally in 1989. He made his ECM debut in 1998 as part of Christian Wallumrød's trio on the album No Birch and has recorded regularly for the label ever since. In addition to his contributions to Wallumrød's changing ensembles, Henriksen has also performed on albums by Trygve Seim, Arild Andersen, Jon Balke, Sinikka Langeland, and Frode Haltli. Down Beat Magazine once described him as one of the "few trumpeters of the last two decades [who] have developed such a distinctive personality."
Trygve Seim
is a Norwegian saxophonist and composer known for his contributions to contemporary jazz and improvised music. Born on April 25, 1971, in Oslo, Norway, Seim has made a name for himself in the Scandinavian jazz scene. His musical path is characterized by a unique and versatile approach to the saxophone, particularly the tenor and soprano saxophone. He is known for his ability to combine traditional jazz elements with influences from various world music traditions, creating a distinctive and evocative sound. Seim has collaborated with a wide variety of musicians and ensembles both in Norway and internationally. His work often operates at the intersection of jazz, folk, and classical music, reflecting a broad musical palette. He has released numerous albums as a leader and has appeared on numerous recordings with various artists.
Anders Jormin
is a renowned Swedish bassist, praised by Down Beat as "everything a bassist should be." He is influenced by his classical and jazz training, as well as by Swedish folk tradition. Jormin was discovered by pianist Bobo Stenson at ECM and has released several albums for the label. He has also taught double bass and improvisation at the Gothenburg Academy of Music for almost 30 years and has received several awards for his jazz recordings. In 2003, he was awarded an honorary doctorate from the Finnish Sibelius Academy. He is a four-time winner of the Swedish Annual Prize for Best Jazz Recording and the first contemporary improviser ever to become a member of the Swedish Royal Academy of Music.
Markku Ounaskari
(born 1967) initially studied percussion at the Pop and Jazz Conservatory in Oulunkylä and, from 1987, at the Jazz Department of the Sibelius Academy. During this time, his professional career also began, as he toured and recorded with two legendary Finnish groups, Piirpauke (Algazara 1987 and Zerenade 1989) and the Pekka Pohjola Group (Changing Waters 1998). Ounaskari has played with all the major Finnish jazz greats (journalist Petri Silas once wrote that it would be easier to list the Finnish ensembles with which Ounaskari has not played). Since 1999, Ounaskari has increasingly collaborated with international projects and bands, becoming one of the most internationally renowned Finnish jazz musicians. Over the past 20 years, he has performed in more than 35 countries around the world. He has been a sought-after artist at major European jazz festivals for decades. In 2010, he also won a Finnish Grammy for his ECM release "Psalms and Folk Songs."
