Musical Balloon was the “Tingningsverket” (festival commission) at Vossa Jazz in 2018, and it was met with enthusiastic responses from both audience and critics.
The jazz magazine “Downbeat” wrote:
«… one of the best commissions of recent vintage». «… a fascinating suite in a micro-big band context, laced with theatricality, moments of swinging bravura and an overall narrative ebb-and-flow».
Hegdal’s music is refreshing and sparky, with complex rhythms, tight brass, surprising melodies and unifying musical motives. A big band in micro-format lets the energy fly – allow yourself to be lifted up by Hegdal’s balloon!
Eirik Hegdal – klarinett, saxofon, bassklarinett
Mattias Ståhl – vibrafon
Jon Fält – slagverk
Eivind Lønning – trompet, piccolo trompet
Nils-Olav Johansen – gitar, banjo, vokal
Ole Morten Vågan – kontrabass
Tor Breivik – lyddesign
