Harald Lassen

Epic melodies, fearless improvisation and strong characters. Harald Lassen has built his own room in Norwegian jazz. However, we're not talking about an eagle's nest high in the mountains far from people. More like a stylish little annex right next to the main house, with colourful wallpaper and comfortable chairs where a bunch of above-average creative musicians with open minds and a rich collection of instruments regularly gather. Lassen himself is a genuine multi-instrumentalist, and in the band it's also rare that anyone gets through a concert with only one instrument. Solveig Wang, for example, gladly swaps space sounds and knobs for clarinet, and drummer Tore Flatjord is by no means a stranger to filling out the soundscape with a little extra woodwind if needed. It bubbles with abundance and spontaneity and melodically strong tunes that are as rich in whims as they are poor in narrow-mindedness. Music is best in concert – we think, at least. This is no slight to the band's studio releases, which regularly receive loud and heartfelt praise both at home and abroad. The album Human Samling from 2020 was nominated for the Spellemann award, and BALANS took home a well-deserved statuette in the jazz category a few rounds later. Last year's follow-up, RIK, was also received with open arms by what's left of the Norwegian music press. A concert with Harald Lassen can be experienced as a well-assorted bag of sweets. Varied, of course, and with a good mix of sour and sweet, soft and hard. Not least there are some pieces in there that you're not quite sure if you like, but you definitely know you want more. Harald Lassen – saxophone, Solveig Wang – keys, Sander Eriksen Nordahl – guitar, Stian Andersen – bass, Tore Flatjord – drums Photo: Shawn Arvind