The Tord Gustavsen Ensemble

As promised, Kine from the Jazz Festival Office had reserved two seats for us at the Kino (something not usually done, thank you Kine!) right in the center a few rows up - perfect seats! And we arrived just in time, settling into our seats just a few minutes before the concert began. It didn’t take long to know that this was going to be a very different concert than the one we had just left. The Tord Gustavsen Ensemble concert was quiet, sublime and introspective - with Norwegian poetry spoken between (or sometimes as part of) the songs.

Sometimes the playing was very energetic, but it never had the sense of being showy, or flashy (unlike the previous band). The music unfolded in a very organic fashion, and the ensemble playing was great - the musicians showing a high level of sensitivity to each other, never stepping on each others toes musically, always supporting and enhancing each other‘s playing.
Part way through the concert I realized why I like Tord Gustavsen’s music so much, - it’s because his music always has a spiritual quality to it… there is something deeper going on in his music than simply notes being played well. In this concert there was one moment I felt close to tears, but I have no idea why (other than the music was touching my spirit), I didn’t understand the Norwegian poetry, and didn’t know the names of the songs either - it was simply the direct impact of the music being produced so organically and intimately right in front of my eyes (and ears). Simply put, this concert was a spiritual experience between the band and the audience (Tord compared it to a congregation being in tune with a worship service) and for me it was highly inspirational.

The ensemble included Tord, playing piano and Rhodes (sometimes at the same time), Jarle Vespestad on drums (whose playing I knew from Tord’s trio recordings), Tore Brunborg on saxophones, Mats Eilertsen on bass, and Kristin Asbjørnsen on vocals (I have one recording with her singing on it, and she has an usual voice - a bit Janis Joplin, a bit Kate Bush, and a bit Bessie Smith) - Beth commented that hearing her sing live her unique voice was not a distraction, but seemed to blend into the music well. The Norwegian poet was a women whose name I didn't catch, and while we didn’t understand the words, the way they were spoken wove a spell over the audience, including us.

After the concert we waited around for a little bit, then saw the band go out a side door to get some fresh air - so after a little deliberation we went out the same exit where I was then able to personally thank the musicians for a great show. The highlight of this post-concert time was being able to talk with Tord Gustavsen in person for a few minutes. He, like the rest of the band, was very gracious. As we chatted Tord came across as a very humble and authentic person, gentle and quiet - but with much depth, much like his music.

Beth and I walked back to the hostel enjoying the cooler air and the beautiful surroundings of Kongsberg. Back in our room we opened the window wide to help cool off the room. While the room was cooling down we spent a couple of hours researching train and hotel information (taking advantage of the free wireless in the hostel). By the time we went to sleep the room had cooled off enough to allow us to get to sleep without too much trouble.