Saxophonist and bandleader Frode Gjerstad is synonymous with improvised music which never ceases to surprise. A concert with Frode’s trio will take you on a rollercoaster ride of highs, lows, and loops where you can feel the centrifugal forces. He is a tireless advocate for exploratory and unexpected music, often resulting in extraordinary and one-of-a-kind musical experiences.
Frode and drummer Paal Nilssen-Love have enjoyed a long-standing friendship and musical collaboration, with their first recording together taking place in 1992 as part of Frode’s Circulasione Totale Orchestra. Since then, they have created over 20 albums, the latest of which is a trio recording entitled “Unknown Purposes”, released in Spring 2024.
Frode Gjerstad first gained international recognition in 1981 through his collaborations with John Stevens and Johnny Dyani. He has recorded albums with Borah Bergman, Bobby Bradford, William Parker, Hamid Drake, Brötzmann, and others—totaling over 200 recordings.
Margaux Oswald, a pianist of French-Filipino heritage, was born and raised in Geneva and is now based in Copenhagen. In recent years, she has dedicated herself to free improvisation. Her solo album, entitled “Dysphotic Zone”, and released by the renowned Clean Feed Records, was named one of the best solo albums of 2022 by New York City Jazz Record and ranked among the top ten international albums by Jazz.pt.
Paal Nilssen-Love has attained global recognition within this genre, having played with luminaries such as Brötzmann, Joe McPhee, Ken Vandermark, and Mats Gustavsson, amongst others. He is undoubtedly one of Norway’s most sought-after musicians.
Paal plays drums of varying sizes along with numerous small items that produce fascinating sounds! Frode plays the clarinet and alto saxophone, and together with Margaux on piano, they improvise—sometimes very loudly, sometimes very softly —but always without a safety net!