Pianist and composer Bugge Wesseltoft is one of Norway’s most renowned jazz musicians.
His fascination with music began early—Wesseltoft notes that the music played by his father, jazz guitarist Erik Wesseltoft, was a definitive influence. The young artist began playing the piano at just two years of age; by seven, he was playing the tuba and percussion. At 22, he purchased a piano and never looked back at other instruments, though he takes pleasure in weaving the classical sound of the piano with electronics and soundscapes.
He never received a formal musical education, yet this did not stop him from earning several Norwegian “Grammy” awards (Spellemannprisen) and the Buddy Award—the highest honor in the Norwegian jazz scene.
In the 20th century, he performed with numerous Norwegian bands and renowned musicians, such as singer Sidsel Endresen. In collaboration with others, he released his first albums.
It was then that the trio “Rymden” began to take shape. Wesseltoft had long harbored a desire to play in a piano trio. Furthermore, as a staunch advocate of “European jazz as an independent art form,” he sought to create music that reflected his own feelings and perspective on musical expression. He invited two friends, Magnus Öström and Dan Berglund—two innovative figures in the European jazz scene.
With the groups “e.s.t.” (Esbjorn Svensson Trio) and Wesseltoft’s “New Conception Of Jazz,” these three like-minded artists began to change music history. The sound of these world-touring groups stood out with a fresh, new resonance, brimming with an openness to experimentation and bold, innovative thinking. The group “e.s.t.” was the first band to perform in rock and jazz clubs, classical music concert halls, and on the largest music festival stages around the world. Thus, an international musical movement was born, becoming a wellspring of inspiration for future generations. Wesseltoft, meanwhile, became a pioneer through his artist platform and record label “Jazzland”—he remains a vital catalyst in the modernization of Scandinavian jazz to this day.
The music of the new trio “Rymden” is grounded in three elements: melancholic and atmospheric songwriting, dramatic rhythms, and virtuosic, top-tier jazz performance.
We invite you to hear them in concert on October 3 at Paliesius Manor—where the trio will be presenting their newest album, “Valleys and Mountains”!
Read more: 10.03 | Rymden: “Valleys & Mountains” (jazz, Norway / Sweden)