Ola Kvernberg (born 16 June 1981) is a Norwegian jazz musician known for his virtuosic string swing violin playing and his international performances. He is the son of traditional musicians Liv Rypdal Kvernberg and Torbjørn Kvernberg, and the brother of traditional musicians Kari Kvernberg Dajani and fiddler Jorun Marie Kvernberg, and grandson of the fiddler and traditional music composer

Peter L. Rypdal Peter Larsson Rypdal (10 February 1909 – 9 January 1988) was a Norwegian fiddler and famous traditional folk music composer. Rypdal was born and died at Tresfjord in Møre og Romsdal, Norway. Of the many pieces he composed, two of his wedd ...

. Kvernberg studied classical violin from the age of nine, and won 3rd prize in a great classical violin competition in

Italy Italy ( it, Italia ), officially the Italian Republic, ) or the Republic of Italy, is a country in Southern Europe. It is located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, and its territory largely coincides with the homonymous geographical re ...

when he was fourteen.

Store Norske Leksikon The ''Great Norwegian Encyclopedia'' ( no, Store Norske Leksikon, abbreviated ''SNL''), is a Norwegian-language online encyclopedia. The online encyclopedia is among the most-read Norwegian published sites, with more than two million unique vis ...

(in Norwegian)

String swing with ''Hot Club de Norvège''

Kvernberg was born in

Fræna Fræna is a former municipality in Møre og Romsdal county, Norway. It was part of the region of Romsdal. The municipality was located on the Romsdal peninsula surrounding the Frænfjorden, the eastern shore of the Julsundet strait, and inclu ...

. He began to play

folk music Folk music is a music genre that includes traditional folk music and the contemporary genre that evolved from the former during the 20th-century folk revival. Some types of folk music may be called world music. Traditional folk music has b ...

at an early age and was classically trained through the municipal music school. His first record release was with the band ''Fear of flying'' in 1995. Two years later, when he was 16, he began playing jazz, and was educated on the Jazz program at '' Trondheim musikkonservatorium'' (2001–03). Kvernberg spontaneously became known after a meeting with '' Hot Club de Norvège'' in 2000 during the annual '' Django Festival'' in

Oslo Oslo ( , , or ; sma, Oslove) is the capital and most populous city of Norway. It constitutes both a county and a municipality. The municipality of Oslo had a population of in 2022, while the city's greater urban area had a population of ...

, where he actually jammed with

Toots Thielemans Jean-Baptiste Frédéric Isidor, Baron Thielemans (29 April 1922 – 22 August 2016), known professionally as Toots Thielemans, was a Belgian jazz musician. He was mostly known for his chromatic harmonica playing, as well as his guitar and whistl ...

. This gave rise to release album ''Hot Club de Norvege presenting Ola Kvernberg and Jimmy Rosenberg'' (2000), the solo release ''Ola Kvernberg'' (2001), as well as participation on the record ''Angelo is back in town'' with

Angelo Debarre Angelo Debarre ( (born on August 19, 1962) is a French Romani gypsy jazz guitarist. Biography Debarre was born in Saint-Denis, Seine-Saint-Denis, Saint-Denis, Paris, and began playing at age eight. In 1984, he formed his first group, the Ang ...

(2001), which he also played with at the '' Django Festival'' in January 2002. In April 2002, Ola was soloist on

Jon Larsen Jon Larsen (born 7 January 1959) is a gypsy jazz guitarist, record producer, painter, and amateur scientific researcher. He is the founder of the group Hot Club de Norvège. In 2007 he received the Buddy Award for his lifelong contribution to ...

's jazz symphony ''White Night Stories'', together with Hot Club de Norvège and Tromsø Symphony Orchestra, and on two recordings with this project.

His own trio

Ola Kvernberg Trio with

Steinar Raknes Steinar Raknes (born 22 March 1975) is a Norwegian jazz musician (upright bass) and composer, and the younger brother of Jazz singer and pianist Eldbjørg Raknes. He is considered to be one of the most talented double bass players of his gener ...

(bass) and

Doug Raney Doug Raney (August 29, 1956 – May 1, 2016) was an American jazz guitarist. He was the son of jazz guitarist Jimmy Raney. Career Raney was born in New York City. He began to play the guitar when he was 14, beginning with rock and blues. He was ...

(guitar) released the album ''Cats and Doug'' (

Hot Club Records Hot Club Records is a jazz record label established 1982, by guitarist Jon Larsen in Oslo, Norway.Dregni, Michael (2008) ''Gypsy Jazz: In Search of Django Reinhardt and the Soul of Gypsy Swing'', OUP USA, , p. 229 The label has released over 350 ...

, 2002).

Erik Nylander Johan Erik Nylander (born 3 April 1981 in Norberg, Sweden) is a Swedish jazz musician (drums), improviser and composer, working in Norway since 2002. He plays in several bands, among them Ola Kvernberg Trio, "Kobert", Kirsti Huke Quartet, Tor ...

(drums) replaced Raney on the production of Eboue Seck's ''Wolof Experience'' 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 re ...

2005). On

Vossajazz Vossajazz or Vossa Jazz (established 19 December 1973) is an international jazz festival in Voss, Norway, which takes place annually during the week before Easter, and which also includes concerts throughout the year. The festival has been led by ...

2006, they play with

Vidar Busk Vidar Busk (born 19 May 1970 in Langesund, Norway) is a Norwegian guitarist, vocalist, composer and record producer within genres blues and soul. Store Norske Leksikon (in Norwegian) (in Norwegian) Career Busk grew up in Langesund, but went t ...

, accompanied by

Håkon Mjåset Johansen Håkon Mjåset Johansen (born 1 August 1975 in Trondheim, Norway) is a Norwegian jazz drummer and composer, known from playing with the Trondheim Jazz Orchestra featuring Chick Corea at Moldejazz 2000, cooperations with Bugge Wesseltoft's New ...

(drums). The trio (with Nylander/Raknes) released the album ''Night'' ( Jazzland, 2006) with the Kvernberg's own compositions. '' People'' was published in 2009. The commissioned work ''Liarbird'' to the Jazz 2010 was released. For the record ''Liarbird'' he won the

Spellemannprisen Spellemannprisen, often referred to as the Norwegian Grammy Awards in English, is a Norwegian music award presented to Norwegian musicians. The award was established by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), an organizati ...

2011 in the class jazz.

Other collaborations

He played with

Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen (, 27 May 1946 – 19 April 2005), also known by his abbreviated nickname NHØP, was a Danish jazz double bassist. Biography Pedersen was born in Osted, near Roskilde, on the Danish island of Zealand, the son of ...

and

Philip Catherine Philip Catherine (born 27 October 1942) is a Belgian jazz guitarist. Biography Philip Catherine was born in London, England, to an English mother and Belgian father, and was raised in Brussels, Belgium. His grandfather was a violinist in the ...

2004, and was involved in the

Ingebrigt Håker Flaten Ingebrigt Håker Flaten (born 23 September 1971 in Oppdal, Norway) is a Norwegian bassist active in the jazz and free jazz genres. (in Norwegian) Store Norske Leksikon (in Norwegian) Career Flaten played electric bass in local funk trio ' ...

Quintet, the trio ''Gammalgrass'' with Stian Carstensen and

Ole Morten Vågan Ole Morten Vågan (born 8 May 1979) is a Norwegian jazz musician and composer (upright bass), and the older brother of guitarist Petter Vågan. He is known from several recordings and is currently acting as artistic director for the Trondheim ...

, in ''The Scarlatti Ensemble'' with Kim Myhr,

Eirik Hegdal Eirik Hegdal (born 3 October 1973 in Gjøvik, Norway) is a Norwegian Jazz musician (saxophone), composer, arranger and music teacher, known from the band Dingobats (1995-2005) and as leader of Trondheim Jazz Orchestra (from 2002). Career After ...

and Marianne Baudouin Lie, with

Siri Gjære Siri Gjære (born 1 February 1972 in Trondheim, Norway) is a Norwegian jazz vocalist from Levanger, known for her collaborations with musicians like Tord Gustavsen, Stian Carstensen, Eirik Hegdal, Maria Kannegaard, Jarle Bernhoft, Eldbjørg Ra ...

's ''Trønderhøns'' and as a guest in ''Banjovi'' with Finn Guttormsen, Stian Carstensen, Haakon Askeland, Kjartan Iversen and Knut Hem. In 2007 he was with

Thomas Dybdahl Thomas Dybdahl (born 12 April 1979) is a Norwegian singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. Background Thomas Dybdahl grew up in Sandnes, Norway. His musical career started off as the guitarist in the band Quadraphonics. The band released ...

on tour. In 2008 Kvernberg contributed on the

's ''

The Jimmy Carl Black Story ''The Jimmy Carl Black Story'' is an album by Norwegian guitarist Jon Larsen. Review The first CD is a Part One: «The Surrealistic Space Odyssey», one hour of music inspired by the life of Jimmy Carl Black. The musical landscape is a groove ...

''. He is portrayed in the Stein Kagge's book ''Fra Satchmo til Ola Kvernberg'' (2001), and he is the brother of traditional musician Jorun Marie Kvernberg (1979). Ola Kvernberg2 at USF Verftet 2012

Honors

*2010: Amanda Award, nominated, in the category ''best soundtrack'' for the movie ''Nord''. *2011:

(Norwegian Grammys) winner, Jazz album of the year, for ''Liarbird'' *2012:

Kongsberg Jazz Award Kongsberg Jazz Festival or Kongsberg Jazzfestival is an international jazz festival that has been held annually in Kongsberg, Norway, since 1964. Artists Several worldwide great artists have visited Kongsberg during this festival; internation ...

- winner *2013: Kanon Award winner, in the category ''best soundtrack'' for the movie ''Jag etter vind'' *2013: Amanda Award winner, in the category ''best soundtrack'' for the movie ''Jag etter vind'' *2015: Grand Scores nominated, in the category "Best Electro-Acoustic Score" for the movie ''Two Raging Grannies'' *2015: Kanon Award nominated, in the category ''best soundtrack'' for the movie ''Two Raging Grannies'' *2015:

(Norwegian Grammys) nominated, Jazz album of the year, for ''The Mechanical Fair'' *2015:

(Norwegian Grammys) nominated, mixed genres album of the year, for ''Obsolete Music 1'' *2016: Kanon Award nominated, in the category ''best soundtrack'' for the movie ''Staying Alive''

Discography

Solo albums

*2001: ''Violin'' (

) *2014: ''Mechanical Fair'' (

Jazzland Recordings Jazzland Recordings is a Norwegian jazz and improvised music label based in Oslo, Norway, often associated with nu jazz. It was founded in 1996 by pianist Bugge Wesseltoft to release his "New Conception of Jazz" and operate as a standalone label. ...

), commission for

Kongsberg Jazz Festival Kongsberg Jazz Festival or Kongsberg Jazzfestival is an international jazz festival that has been held annually in Kongsberg, Norway, since 1964. Artists Several worldwide great artists have visited Kongsberg during this festival; internation ...

2013, including with the

Trondheim Soloists Trondheim Soloists ( no, Trondheimsolistene) are a musical chamber ensemble of string players based in Trondheim, Norway. The ensemble was founded in 1988 and has been an arena for professional concert training for string-players at the Music Con ...

*2017: ''Steamdome'' (

Grappa Music Grappa Musikkforlag (established 1983 in Norway) is a Norwegian music company initiated and directed by Helge Westbye. It is one of the oldest and biggest independent record companies in Norway today. The company represents prominent Norwegian a ...

) *2021: ''Steamdome II: The Hypogean'' ;Within Ola Kvernberg Trio *2002: ''Cats and Doug'' (Hot Club Records), feat. the guitarist

*2006: ''Night Driver'' (Jazzland Recordings), performing Kvernberg's compositions *2009: ''

Folk Folk or Folks may refer to: Sociology *Nation *People * Folklore ** Folk art ** Folk dance ** Folk hero ** Folk music *** Folk metal *** Folk punk *** Folk rock ** Folk religion * Folk taxonomy Arts, entertainment, and media * Folk Plus or Fol ...

'' (Jazzland Recordings) *2013: ''Northern Tapes'' (Jazzland Recordings) ;Within Liarbird *2011: ''

Liarbird ''Liarbird'' (released 30 September 2011 in Oslo, Norway by label Bolage – BLGCD 018) is a Jazz album by the Norwegians, Norwegian jazz violinist Ola Kvernberg. After the premiere at Trondheim Jazz Festival and concerts at Moldejazz feat. Joshu ...

'' (Jazzland Recordings), the commissioned work, live from

2010 including Bergmund Waal Skaslien (viola),

(saxophone),

Mathias Eick Mathias Eick (born 26 June 1979) is a Norwegian jazz musician, and the brother of the jazz musicians Johannes Eick and Trude Eick. He is mainly known from his releases on the jazz label ECM Records. His main instrument is the trumpet, but he als ...

(trumpet),

Håkon Kornstad Håkon Games Kornstad (born 5 April 1977 in Oslo, Norway) is a Norwegian jazz musician (tenor saxophone, bass saxophone, flute and live looping) and classically trained singer (tenor), known from bands such as Wibutee and Kornstad Trio, and co ...

(saxophone),

and

(bass), as well as

and

Torstein Lofthus Torstein Lofthus (born 10 March 1977) is a Norwegian drummer and composer who has been a member of the bands Shining, Elephant9, the Mathias Eick Band, D'Sound, and Ebersson/Zanussi/Lofthus. He is married to Hege Lofthus. Career Lofthus has ...

(drums) ;Within Grand General, quintet including

Erlend Slettevoll Erlend Slettevoll (born 26 October 1981) is a Norwegian jazz pianist, known from cooperation with musicians like Ola Kvernberg, Petter Wettre, Heidi Skjerve, Kjetil Møster, Steinar Raknes and Espen Aalberg. Career Slettevoll was born in Vold ...

, Even Helte Hermansen, Kenneth Kapstad and

Trond Frønes Trond Frønes (born 1978 in Trondheim, Norway) is a Norwegian (bass guitarist), known from bands like Blood on Wheels, Goat The Head, Grand General and Sunswitch. Career Frønes has collaborated with musicians like Ola Kvernberg, Even Helte He ...

*2013: '' Grand General'' (

Rune Grammofon Rune Grammofon is a Norwegian record label founded in 1998 by Rune Kristoffersen. Rune Grammofon's reputation for lovingly issued experimental electronic music, jazz, and improvised music by Norwegian artists has grown over the years with its art ...

)

Collaborations

;With Hot Club de Norvege *2000: ''Hot Club De Norvege Featuring Ola Kvernberg and Jimmy Rosenberg'' (Hot Club Records) *2005: ''White Night Live'' (Hot Club Records), feat. Ola Kvernberg and Tromsø Symphony Orchestra ;Within Ingebrigt Håker Flaten Quintet *2006: ''Quintet'' (Jazzland Recordings) *2008: ''The Year Of The Boar'' (Jazzland Recordings) ;Within

Trondheim Jazz Orchestra Trondheim Jazz Orchestra (TJO) (established 1999 in Trondheim, Norway) is an orchestral project based in Trondheim, and closely related to both the Midtnorsk Jazzsenter (MNJ - Mid Norwegian Jazz Center) and Jazz Line at the Trøndelag Conservator ...

*2006: ''Tribute'' (MNJ Records), feat.

Vigleik Storaas Vigleik Storaas (born 2 February 1963) is a Norwegian jazz pianist and composer, and the younger brother of composer and bassist Gaute Storaas. He is known from a series of album releases and collaborations with jazz musicians such as Norma Win ...

*2007: ''Live In Oslo'' (MNJ Records), feat. Maria Kannegaard Trio ;Within Team Hegdal sextet including

André Roligheten André Roligheten (born 2 January 1985) is a Norwegian jazz musician (saxophone) and composer, known from a series of recordings and bands like Albatrosh and Team Hegdal. He has also played with musicians like Andrew D'Angelo, Theo Bleckmann, ...

, Rune Nergaard, Mattias Ståhl and

Gard Nilssen Gard Nilssen (born 24 June 1983 in Skien, Norway) is a Norwegian Jazz musician ( drums) and composer, and member of the bands Bushman's Revenge and Puma. Career Nilssen was educated on the Jazz program at Trondheim Musikkonservatorium (20 ...

*2011: ''Vol 2'' (Øra Fonogram), including additional ;Within Ingebrigt Håker Flaten Chicago Sextet, including Dave Rempis, Frank Rosaly, Jason Adasiewicz and Jeff Parker *2012: ''Ingebrigt Håker Flaten Chicago Sextet Live At Jazzfest Saalfelden'' (Tektite Records Co.Operative) ;Within Gammalgrass *2013: ''Obsolete Music 1'' (Division Records) ;Within the trio Kirsti, Ola & Erik *2015: ''Rags & Silk'' (Name Music & Publishing)

Film music

*2010: ''Nord Film Music'' (Jazzland Recordings), trio including Andreas Aase (guitars, mandolin, dobro) and Stian Carstensen (banjo), Ola Kvernbergs Filmmscore for the critically acclaimed

Erlend Loe Erlend Loe (24 May 1969, Trondheim) is a Norwegian novelist, screenwriter and film critic. Loe writes both children's and adult literature. He has gained popularity in Scandinavia with his humorous and sometimes naïve novels, although his stori ...

movie ''Nord'' *2010: ''

Eksperimentet ''Eksperimentet'' ( en, The Experiment) is a 2010 Danish drama film written and directed by Louise Friedberg, and starring Ellen Hillingsø. The film premiered on 28 August 2010 in the Katuaq Culture Centre in Nuuk, the capital of Greenland. The ...

'', a Danish

drama film In film and television, drama is a category or genre of narrative fiction (or semi-fiction) intended to be more serious than humorous in tone. Drama of this kind is usually qualified with additional terms that specify its particular super-g ...

written and directed by Louise Friedberg, starring Ellen Hillingsø. *2013: Soundtrack for the movie ''Jag etter vind''.

References

External links

*
Ola Kvernberg Myspace.comThomas Dybdahl Official WebsiteOla Kvernberg Trio at Sardinen USF November 16, 2012, Bergen Jazzforum
on

YouTube YouTube is a global online video platform, online video sharing and social media, social media platform headquartered in San Bruno, California. It was launched on February 14, 2005, by Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim. It is owned by ...

Liarbird at Kolben Concert Hall September 17, 2011

Rikskonsertene Concerts Norway ( no, Rikskonsertene) was established in 1967 on the initiative of the Arts Council Norway ( no, Norsk kulturråd), with its main purpose described as follows: "Concerts Norway is to make living music of high artistic quality acces ...

on YouTube {{DEFAULTSORT:Kvernberg, Ola 20th-century Norwegian violinists 21st-century Norwegian violinists Norwegian jazz violinists Male violinists Norwegian jazz composers Male jazz composers Jazzland Recordings (1997) artists Rune Grammofon artists Hot Club Records artists Norwegian University of Science and Technology alumni Spellemannprisen winners Best Original Score Guldbagge Award winners People from Fræna 1981 births Living people Musicians from Møre og Romsdal 20th-century guitarists 21st-century guitarists 21st-century violinists 20th-century Norwegian male musicians 21st-century Norwegian male musicians Trondheim Jazz Orchestra members Ola Kvernberg Trio members Grand General (band) members