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Musician

Jon Balke

Born:

Jon Balke was born in Furnes, Norway, and has been a professional musician since 1974. Balke has no formal education in music or composition and has mainly worked within the realm of improvised music.

His main instrument has been the piano and this has lead, in time, to the use of electronic keyboards. He began composing for larger ensembles in 1982, first and foremost for Oslo 13, a 'small' big band, and has since composed works for the theatre and various chamber ensembles, in addition to big bands and jazz ensembles.

Balke's activities in music have always been two-fold. On the one hand, there is a search for maximum spontaneity through the establishing of orchestras which are increasingly based on pure improvisation; a development that has culminated in his very successful trio Jøkleba with Audun Kleive and Per Jørgensen (keys, percussion, and trumpet).

15

Article: Inside the Songs

Thomas Strønen Time Is A Blind Guide: Off Stillness

Read "Thomas Strønen Time Is A Blind Guide: Off Stillness" reviewed by Dean Nardi


During his Time Is A Blind Guide reunion with keyboardist Ayumi Tanaka, cellist Leo Svensson Sander (replacing Lucy Railton), violinist Håkon Aase and double-bassist Ole Morten Vågan on Off Stillness (ECM Records, 2025), Norwegian drummer Thomas Strønen lands in a peculiar, improvised pocket. Brushed rhythms, unusual violin counterpoints, verbose bass, pizzicato cello and fractured piano arpeggios lend ...

1

Article: Radio & Podcasts

Mark Turner, Brad Goode Polytonal Big Band, Django Festival Allstars, Adonis Rose

Read "Mark Turner, Brad Goode Polytonal Big Band, Django Festival Allstars, Adonis Rose" reviewed by Cheryl K.


During this week's two-hour program of jazz and improvised music--tenor saxophonists Melissa Aldana and Mark Turner; trumpeter Brad Goode and his Polytonal Big Band; The Messthetics and saxophonist James Brandon Lewis; the Django Festival Allstars; drummer Brandon Sanders; and guitarist/banjoist Brandon Seabrook.Playlist Amina Claudine Myers “Song for Mother E Song for Mother E (Leo) ...

10

Article: Big Band in the Sky

Remembering Marilyn Mazur: Percussion Shaman

Read "Remembering Marilyn Mazur: Percussion Shaman" reviewed by Ian Patterson


Marilyn Mazur, the trailblazing Danish drummer, percussionist, composer and bandleader, who enjoyed an extraordinarily varied career, has died at the age of 70. In over fifty years working in jazz and improvised music, Mazur collaborated with Alex Riel, Wayne Shorter, Gil Evans, Charlie Mariano, Jon Balke, Dhafer Youssef, and Jan Garbarek, amongst many others. She holds ...

Album

Skrifum

Label: ECM Records
Released: 2025

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Article: Multiple Reviews

Piano Plus: Two Enhanced Solo Piano Sets

Read "Piano Plus: Two Enhanced Solo Piano Sets" reviewed by Dan McClenaghan


Is the piano enough? Keith Jarrett, notably, made a big name for himself with his improvised solo piano outings. Jessica Williams composed, in real time, making magic alone at the keyboard. Fred Hersch has crafted masterpieces in the solo piano mode. The ever-versatile Brad Mehldau has produced many shining moments sitting down alone at the piano. ...

5

Article: Radio & Podcasts

New Releases From Sarmiento, Despommier, Shovaly & More

Read "New Releases From Sarmiento, Despommier, Shovaly & More" reviewed by Bob Osborne


New and more recognisable faces from the jazz world combine to create a varied playlist of recent and forthcoming releases. The variety of material on offer demonstrates the wealth of excellent music out there. Established musicians explore new avenues and newcomers honour the Jazz tradition.Playlist Show Intro 00:00 Lucia Sarmiento “Dreamland" from Escape (Self ...

7

Article: Album Review

Sigurd Hole ensemble: Extinction Sounds

Read "Extinction Sounds" reviewed by David Bruggink


Sigurd Hole has proven himself a composer to watch with a string of releases blurring the lines between chamber jazz, modern classical composition and experimentation, often feeling more like organic transmissions than conventional songs. His solo double album Lys / Mørke (Self Produced, 2020) was recorded on the isolated Norwegian island of Fleinvær, and brings the intonations ...

Album

Extinction Sounds

Label: Elvesang
Released: 2024
Track listing: Like an echo of ancient bells; Whispers of air and dust; Ghostly glow; Four rooms; Patchworks; Mountain stream; Leaves never fall in vain; Remnants of an old pastorale.

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Article: Liner Notes

Arve Henriksen: Solidification

Read "Arve Henriksen: Solidification" reviewed by John Kelman


Constellations and the Something of Discovery Music as a chosen profession may suggest occupying the minds of its makers far beyond the 9-to-5 hours of your average job, but for some it goes further still. Transcending mere preoccupation, trumpeter Arve Henriksen seems to eat, drink, sleep and dream music, 24/7, 365 days a year. “I was ...


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