Helge Lien Trio heads out on European tour
One of Norway’s most vital jazz outfits, the Helge Lien Trio, heads out on a European tour in March.
Listen to and download Helge Lien Trio audio here
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Helge Lien, who, in addition to his own trio project, performs with other Norwegian acts like Silje Nergaard, has developed his very own unmistakeable style of trio playing with band colleagues Frode Berg (bass) and Knut Aalefjær (drums & percussion).
With instinctive sureness, the musicians develop a „chamber music“ jazz that stands out through its harmonically complex tone colors. Building on Bill Evans’ lyrical power and the exhilaratingly melancholic playing of Esbjörn Svensson, Lien, in constant dialogue with Berg & Aalefjær, creates distinct moods on ‘Hello Troll’ – moods that he presents with ease.
Doubtlessly, pianist Helge Lien, who is very skilled at playing to the gallery with his modal piano art, is one of the most exciting young talents in Scandinavia. Playing their way into the hearts of a steadily growing circle of listeners with classic-impressionistic patterns and rhythmical-melodic jazz, this trio’s resourcefulness seems to truly know no bounds.
Early March sees the trio heading out on a 15-date tour that includes gigs in Spain, Germany and Romania.
Read Allaboutjazz.com’s review of Hello Troll.
A few additional domestic review excerpts on ‘Hello Troll’:
Aftenposten (no)
"A remarkable display of outstanding ensemble playing"
Bergens Tidende (no)
"Wonderful tunes - brilliant ensemble..."
Dagbladet (no)
"..maybe the best piano trio album to ever come from Norway"
Dagens Næringsliv (no)
"Heirs apparent..."
Dagsavisen (no)
"...sheer enjoyment from beginning to end..."
VG (no)
"A very thorough and varied release from a distinctive trio..."
Listen to Helge Lien Trio tracks on Last.fm.
Helge Lien Trio’s MySpace site.
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