Gard Nilssen Acoustic Unity + Emmeluth & Møster
Gard Nilssen is undoubtedly one of the world's busiest drummers. Now he comes to Energimølla with his trio Acoustic Unity with newly written music for this year's festival and upcoming album. The team has been reinforced with famous guests: Signe Emmeluth and Kjetil Møster!
Gard Nilssen is in an incredible amount of bands, but in recent years has spent more and more time on his trio Acoustic Unity. Here he has the saxophonist with him André The tranquility - who is active in almost as many bands as Gard Nilssen. We understand that, because the match for powerful, driving and temperamental saxophone playing is indeed difficult to track down. Third man is the Swedish, now living in Berlin, bassist Petter Eldh. He has an incredibly long track record, but in Norway we probably know him best from his collaboration with Marius Neset in several bands, and that he is in Gard Nilssens Supersonic Orchestra.
Gard Nilssens's Acoustic Unity has released several records. The first is called 'Firehouse', and it is indeed a fitting name, because both on records and in concert, the trio presents a music with a punch and a vitality like no other. It is an intense liv in the trio's expression. Eldh and Nilssen create a playful and rhythmic foundation that sends Roligheten on the fiercest excursions. The trio likes to invite guests with them, and to the concert at this year's jazz festival, they also bring them along to guests – the saxophonists Kjetil Monster og Signe Emmeluth. Both of these are well known to a large audience. Møster has left a clear mark in many different constellations, from the power quartet The Core to the free jazz rock band Aunt! Signe Emmeluth has distinguished herself with her powerful and expressive playing in many contexts - from her own quartet Emmeluth's Amoeba to Trondheim Jazz Orchestra.
André Roligheten – saxophone
Signe Emmeluth – saxophones
Kjetil Møster – saxophone
Petter Eldh – double bass
Gard Nilssen – drums
***
This is what the reviewers said about the record "Elastic Wave" from 2022:
"Gard Nilssen Acoustic Unity marks with Elastic Wave its natural place in the top tier of international jazz 2022"
-Audun Vinger, Jazznytt
"It's an excellent soundtrack for the summer and one of the highlights so far of the Norwegian jazz year."
-Espen Løkeland-Stai (Dagsavisen) 5/6
"With "Elastic Wave" he takes the final step all the way to the top"
-Tor Hammerø, (Nettavisen) 6/6
"They make the intricate approach the catchy, a bit like Keith Jarrett's Belonging Quartet excelled at doing"
- Arild R. Andersen (Aftenposten) 5/6
