All though he is still quite young in years, Håvard Wiik ranks among the uppermost and most widely acclaimed jazz pianists in Norway, with talents that have brought him all around the world. He made his first major appearance on the scene in 1995, with Element, but for the last 10 years he has been a key player in many groups, such as Atomic, Free Fall, Atomic Schooldays, a duo with Håkon Kornstad, a new project with Axel Dörner and Fredrik Ljungqvist, among others. He has been an obvious choice as collaborator with giants in jazz, Kenny Wheeler, Lee Konitz, Joe Lovano representing the old school, and Ken Vandermark being a soul mate from the here and now.
Håvard Wiik originally made his mark alongside colleagues and buddies
Paal Nilssen-Love and Ingebrigt Håker Flaten, still being the power and
the glory in Atomic. But he definitely has his own way too, and
displays a keen sensibility of his craft, both in avant garde and more
traditional approaches. This all-round ability, among other deep
qualities, made him ”artist in residence” at the 2004-edition of Molde
International Jazz Festival. And in 2006, at Kongsberg Jazz Festival,
he received the Vital prize, bringing him money and fame, but more
importantly the opportunity to perform solo again, as he will do this
year, and as the listener can inspect more closely on the recent
release Palinode.
But, lest we forget, he also has a group of his own, in that most
glorious of jazz formats: the trio. He released Postures on Jazzland
records in 2003, chock full of his intricate yet instantly pleasurable
compositions. He closed down the trio, but now, in 2007, Håvard Wiik
Trio is back with The Arcades Project. The album was recorded at Bugges
Room, January of 2007. In this new installment of the trio we find the
fierce stickeree of Håkon Mjåset Johansen on drums, and the
contact-high youngster Ole Morten Vågan on bass. They originally met
when Håvard Wiik did a stint as super stand-in in their group Motif.
The two have also individually been involved with groups such as Urban
Connection, Come Shine, Bugge Wesseltoft’s New Conception of Jazz, and
are exponents of a new generation of Norwegian jazz players. And they
bring to Håvard Wiik’s trio, in his own words: – “After I disbanded my
last trio in 2004, I have used the last couple of years to try to
develop a fresh view on the classic piano trio format, both in regards
of interplay and composition. I feel this trio, and this recording, is
an excellent document of my and the trio’s efforts towards those goals.”
Truly, The Arcades Project presents Håvard Wiik on the top of his game, as composer, pianist and bandleader.
Håvard Wiik - Piano
Ole Morten Vågan - Bass
Håkon Mjåset Johansen - Drums
Jazzlander
About the author:
Born in the heart of Jazzland at an early age, the Jazzlander found words within music and music within words. Raised by his parents in a small village, they eventually would lower him in a big city. It was there that his unique gifts were recognised, and he was imprisoned within the confines of the Jazzland website. It is here that he unleashes his views of music, and calls on those with the ability to hear to listen.
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