BUGGE WESSELTOFT - ARILD ANDERSEN - GARD NILSSEN
Bugge Wesseltoft, Arild Andersen, and Gard Nilssen – it’s hard to imagine a stronger Norwegian supergroup, both at home and abroad. Together, they represent three generations of Norwegian jazz musicians, each belonging to the international elite.
A chance meeting a couple of years ago led to the trio playing together for the first time. The result was obvious: the brief musical encounter was far too special to end there. All three are highly sought-after musicians, with their own projects as well as frequent collaborations in other major ensembles. Finding time in their busy schedules for a full tour has taken a while, but now they’ve made room for a musical partnership they are eager to prioritise.
Although this is their first real tour as a trio, it’s far from their first encounter. Since the 1970s, Andersen has been known for discovering and nurturing young talent. In his early years, he brought forward teenage musicians like Jon Balke and Pål Thowsen. In the 1980s, during his iconic commissioned works Arv and Sagn, Bugge Wesseltoft became part of Andersen’s musical world for the first time. Gard Nilssen joined the picture later, but the two have collaborated in several contexts – including a trio with Pat Metheny during Andersen’s 70th birthday celebration, and as Jon Christensen’s replacement in the legendary Masqualero in 2024.
Wesseltoft and Nilssen, both originally from Skien, have crossed paths many times since 2004 – in an All Star Big Band with roots in Skien High School, at Bugge’s Organ Club, and in a Charles Mingus tribute concert in 2014 connected to Andersen’s 70th anniversary celebrations in 2015.
In this trio, the three musicians come together around a repertoire built from their own compositions, including material from Bugge’s recent album Am Are and Andersen’s Arv and Sagn projects. As a collective, they have developed the material further, each contributing their own distinct musical voice.
Doors open: 20:00
Concert starts: 21:00
Photo: André Løyning