Monkey Plot (initiated in 2011) is a Norwegian jazz trio playing acoustic improvised music with their own touch.

Biography

After four years of study at the

Norwegian Academy of Music The Norwegian Academy of Music (Norwegian: ''Norges musikkhøgskole'', NMH) is a university-level music conservatory located in Oslo, Norway, in the neighbourhood of Majorstuen, Frogner. It is the largest music academy in Norway and offers the co ...

, the trio have distinguished themselves as strong newcomers on the Norwegian jazz scene. They released their debut album ''Løv Og Lette Vimpler'' in 2013. The album was recorded in

Stavanger Stavanger (, , American English, US usually , ) is a city and municipalities of Norway, municipality in Norway. It is the fourth largest city and third largest metropolitan area in Norway (through conurbation with neighboring Sandnes) and the a ...

, in the studio of Norwegian free jazz pioneer

Frode Gjerstad Frode Gjerstad (born 24 March 1948) is a Norwegian jazz musician with alto saxophone as principal instrument, but he also plays other saxophones, clarinet, and flute. He has collaborated with Paal Nilssen-Love, Borah Bergman, Peter Brötzmann, E ...

. He has succeeded in capturing the simple, acoustic and intimate sound, of the trio and the free-spirited structure of its pieces, blending organic guitar improvisation with clear references to the ECM recordings of

Ralph Towner Ralph Towner (born March 1, 1940) is an American multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger and bandleader. He plays the twelve-string guitar, classical guitar, piano, synthesizer, percussion, trumpet and French horn. Biography Towner was born i ...

. Monkey Plot has a modern and original expression that does not sound like anything else. They have a seeking approach with a tranquility and strong individual voices. The band has come a long way in developing its own musical language and being true to their own universe. The musicians exude confidence and have a distinct presence in the music that creates a strong sense of communication and interaction. The trio has a compelling approach to improvisation.

Band members

Christian Skår Winther Christian Skår Winther (born 8 May 1989 in Ålesund, Norway) is a Norwegian musician (guitar) and the older brother of jazz drummer Andreas Skår Winther (b. 1991), known from bands like Monkey Plot, Listen to Girl, Ich Bin N!ntendo and Torg. ...

– acoustic guitar * Magnus Skavhaug Nergaard – upright bass *

Jan Martin Gismervik Jan Martin Gismervik (born 1988 in Avaldsnes, Karmøy, Norway) is a Norwegian jazz musician (drums), known from bands like Monkey Plot, Torg, Oker, O, PGA. Career Gismervik was raised in Avaldsnes Avaldsnes is a village in Karmøy municip ...

– drums and percussion

Honors

*2014: Jazzintro award at

Moldejazz Molde International Jazz Festival (MIJF) or Moldejazz (established 1961 in Molde) takes place annually in July, and is known as one of the oldest jazz festivals in Europe. It was initiated by the local Storyville Jazz Club. Since 1964 it has rec ...

Discography

*2013: ''Løv Og Lette Vimpler'' (Gigafon Records) *2015: ''Angående Omstendigheter Som Ikke Lar Seg Nedtegne'' ( Hubro) *2016: ''Here I Sit, Knowing All Of This'' (Hubro)

References

External links

*{{Official website, www.monkeyplot.com Norwegian jazz ensembles Norwegian experimental musical groups Musical groups established in 2011 2011 establishments in Norway Musical groups from Oslo Hubro Music artists