Vidar Johansen (born 2 June 1953 in

Oslo, Norway 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 i ...

) is a Norwegian jazz musician (tenor, soprano, baritone and alto saxophones, flute, bass clarinet), music arranger and composer.

Biography

Johansen is considered one of the most talented saxophonists emerging out of the Norwegian jazz scene in the 1970s. He started out early 1970 in a quartet with

Jon Eberson Jon Arild Eberson (born 6 January 1953) is a Norwegian jazz guitarist and composer, the son of jazz guitarist Leif Eberson (1925–1970), and the father of keyboardist Marte Maaland Eberson. He was a member of the bands Moose Loose (1973–77), ...

, and collaborated with the Balke brothers. He also collaborated within Jon Balke Quartet (1973–74), "The amateur big band" in Kongsberg (1974,) in the jazz-rock band "Adonis" (1974–75) and was recognized in his quartet led together with

Erik Balke Erik Balke (born 7 November 1953) Store Norske Leksikon is a Norwegian jazz musician (saxophone), known as leader of the "Lille Frøen Saksofonkvartett" with Vidar Johansen, Arne Frang and Odd Riisnæs/Tore Brunborg/ Olav Dale, as member of hi ...

(1974–77), engaged at the

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 ...

(1975) and

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 ...

(1976). He was also a member of the University Big Band in Oslo (1977), inter alia, "Hipshot Percussion" 1976–1978, "Shrub Smoul" 1977–78, jazz rock group "Lotus" from 1977 to 1983 with an album (1979),

Espen Rud Espen Rud (born 29 January 1948 in Asker, Norway) is a Norwegian jazz musician (drums), composer, and music arranger, and the son of Norwegian author Nils Johan Rud (1908–93). He is known from numerous recordings and in collaboration with Kari ...

's "Kråbøl" 1978, a quartet with bassist Åsmund Snortheim (1978–79), Åge Røthe Quartet 1979–80), "Lille Frøen Saksofonkvartett" (1979–89) joining in several festival gigs and the album ''4 men'' (1986), Per Høglend Sextet (1980–81), Anne-Marie Giørtz Quintet (1982–87) with albums released in 1983 and 1985. In 1984 he joined the band "Out to Lunch", and they released the albums ''Out To Lunch'' (1988) and ''Kullboksrytter'' (1994),

Oslo 13 1300 Oslo (active from 1979 in Oslo, Norway) was a Norwegian jazz band originally called Oslo 13 (1979–93), founded and operated the first two years by Bror Hagemann and continuated by Jon Balke. In 1994 the band got a joint leadership with Tr ...

1986–1992,

Ole Jacob Hansen Ole Jacob Hansen (16 April 1940 in Oslo, Norway – 6 March 2000) was a Norwegian jazz musician (drums), known from a number recordings and international cooperation. Career Hansen established himself on the Oslo jazz scene first in Tore San ...

/ Harald Gundhus big band from 1988 trio with

Kåre Garnes Kåre Garnes (born 8 November 1954 in Bergen, Norway) is a Norwegians, Norwegian jazz musician (Double bass, upright bass), known for his collaborations with Bergen jazz legends like Dag Arnesen, Knut Kristiansen, Per Jørgensen, Olav Dale and O ...

and

Tom Olstad Tom Olstad (born 13 April 1953 in Gjøvik, Norway) is a Norwegian jazz drummer who has performed on many recordings. Career Olstad has lived in Oslo since 1973, when he started his musical studies at Østlandets Musikkonservatorium and Univ ...

(1990),

Søyr Søyr (established 1976 in Trondheim, Norway) is a Norwegian musical group, led from the start of trumpeter Torgrim Sollid. Biography Søyr was initially inspired by folk music from Stor-Elvdal (among others Ole Mørk Sandvik) and released the ...

from 1991 with the album release ''Buses homesick'' 1993 and ''The meat and love'' (1995), ''Grand Slam'' and ''Quartet Decisive'' from 1992, besides that he has been frequently substitute in Radio big band 1978– 90 (pl.innsp. 1987), participated in the Per Husby Dedication Orchestra from 1984 to 1988 (pl.innsp. 1985, 87) and recorded discs with ia The Gambian / Norwegian Friendship Orchestra 1982 Jens Wendelboe Big Band in 1983, Lars Martin Myhre / Slagen Big Band (1983–85), "Jazz on Norwegian" 1990 Jens Wendelboe Big Crazy Energy Band from 1991 to 1992,

Knut Kristiansen Knut Johan Bratland Kristiansen (born 14 April 1946) is a Norwegian composer and jazz musician (piano), known from Bergen jazz life primarily for his many interpretations of the music of Thelonious Monk as orchestra leader his own bands with var ...

''Monk Moods'' (1995),

Odd Børretzen Odd Lunde Børretzen (21 November 1926 – 3 November 2012) was a Norwegian author, illustrator, translator, and one of the most significant text writers, folk singers and artists in Norway. Biography Børretzen was born in Fister in th ...

Lars Martin Myhre Lars Martin Myhre (born 10 August 1956 in Tønsberg, Norway) (in Norwegian) is a Norwegian composer, guitarist, pianist, singer and producer residing in Sandefjord. He is best known for his collaboration with Odd Børretzen, (in Norwegian) but ha ...

(1995),

Eivind Aarset Eivind Aarset (born 23 March 1961) is a Norwegian guitarist who has worked with Ray Charles, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Ute Lemper, Ketil Bjørnstad, Andy Sheppard, Mike Mainieri, Arild Andersen, Abraham Laboriel, Dhafer Youssef, Django Bates, and Nils ...

(1997), "Element" (1998) and

(1998–99), Kjell Karlsen Big Band (2001), Ron Olsen (2002) and Paul Weeden (2003). A versatile, skilled and quality creative musician; In recent years he has, among other things contributed as energetic soloist on bass clarinet on plates with

Ab und Zu Ab und Zu (established 1987) is a Norwegian jazz band, originally named "Anne Marie Giørtz Quintet" (1982–1987), and presenting music written by Ole Henrik Giørtz. Biography The quintet comprised the siblings Anne-Marie Giørtz (vocals) a ...

and

Bugge Wesseltoft Jens Christian Bugge Wesseltoft (born 1 February 1964) is a Norwegian jazz pianist, composer, and producer, son of jazz guitarist Erik Wesseltoft. Career In 1989, Wesseltoft collaborated with the Knut Riisnæs Quartet and was soon after ...

(1995–1996). As composer known for his subtle titles, compositional documentation as on the album ''Nordjazz Big 5" recorded by Danish Radio Big Band in 1987 and ''Sony Simmons plays the music of Vidar Johansen – The traveler'' (2004–05). Finally he released an album ''Lopsided'' (1997) under his own name, Vidar Johansen Trio record live at Oslo Jazzhus in 1995. Along with

Bjørnar Andresen Bjørnar Andresen (1 April 1945 – 2 October 2004) was a Norwegian jazz musician (double bass, guitar, banjo), known for his improvisational and multicultural musical expression in a variety of publications. Career Andresen established the f ...

and

Thomas Strønen Thomas Strønen (born 7 December 1972) is a Norwegian jazz drummer who has recorded more than 70 albums. He has worked with Iain Ballamy, Arve Henriksen, Mats Eilertsen, Ashley Slater, Eivind Aarset, Christian Fennesz, Nils Petter Molvaer, Bobo ...

he formed the band "Bayashi" who released the album ''Help Is on Its Way'' (2001) and ''Rock'' (2004). Later he participated in the Tine Asmundsen Lonely Woman albums ''Alive'' (2003), ''Demons' Diversions'' (2005), ''Radegund'' (2008) and ''Lovely Luna'' (2012), the album ''Bjørn Johansen in Memoriam'' (2003),

Jacob Young Jacob Wayne Young (born September 10, 1979) is an American actor and producer. He is a five-time Daytime Emmy Award nominee, winning once in 2002 for his role as Lucky Spencer in the soap opera ''General Hospital'' (2000–2003). He is best know ...

's ''Evening falls'' (2004) and ''Sideways'' (2006),

Erik Wesseltoft Erik Wesseltoft (born 1944) is a Norwegian jazz guitarist and composer, married to pharmacist Randi Ersdal (1944–), and the father of jazz pianist Bugge Wesseltoft (1964–). Biography Wesseltoft was born in Porsgrunn. As a guitarist, he has ...

''Con Amor'' (2004), ''Life Is A Beautiful Monster'' with Crimetime Orchestra (2004),

Sonny Simmons Huey "Sonny" Simmons (August 4, 1933 – April 6, 2021) was an American jazz musician. Biography Simmons was born on August 4, 1933 in Sicily Island, Louisiana. He grew up in Oakland, California, where he began playing the English horn. (Along w ...

''The traveler'' (2004) and the album ''Madison'' where he collaborates with

Tine Asmundsen Tine Asmundsen (born 8 April 1963) is a Norwegian jazz bassist, known from her own band, Lonely Woman, playing with David Murray at Kongsberg Jazzfestival 2010. Career Asmundsen was born in Kongsberg, Norway. She started playing bass in Kongsb ...

, Richard Davis and

Robert Shy The name Robert is an ancient Germanic given name, from Proto-Germanic "fame" and "bright" (''Hrōþiberhtaz''). Compare Old Dutch ''Robrecht'' and Old High German ''Hrodebert'' (a compound of '' Hruod'' ( non, Hróðr) "fame, glory, honou ...

(2007). In recent years (2015) he has been living on a mountain farm in Lom, which does not prevent him from the participations on the Norwegian jazz scenes. In 2009 he released three albums, his own ''Lost Animals'', The Core & More ''Vol 1'' and ''Atomic Symphony'' by Crime Time Orchestra,

and

The Norwegian Radio Orchestra The Norwegian Radio Orchestra (Norwegian, ''Kringkastingsorkestret'', abbreviated as KORK) is a radio orchestra affiliated with the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (''Norsk rikskringkasting AS'', or NRK). Its principal base is the ''Store Stud ...

Discography (in selectio)

Solo albums

;With Vidar Johansen Trio *1997: ''Lopsided'' (

Curling Legs __NOTOC__ Curling Legs Productions A/S (established 1992 in Oslo, Norway) is a Norwegian record label with a catalogue encompassing all styles of jazz and improvised music. It was started by Knut Værnes and Morten Halle to release their own mus ...

), Live at Oslo Jazzhus ;With Vidar Johansen Quartet *2009: ''Lost Animals'' (

Jazzaway Records Jazzaway is a Norwegian record label founded by saxophonist Jon Klette in Oslo, Norway. He is also the main composer/leader in the band Jazzmob. Their CD ''Pathfinder'' (2003) was the first release from the label. The label includes artists an ...

)

Collaborations

;With Jens Wendelboe Big Band *1983: Lone Attic'' (NOPA) ;With The Gambian / Norwegian Friendship Orchestra *1983: ''Friendship'' (

Odin Records Odin Records is a Norwegians, Norwegian jazz record company and label founded in 1981 by the Norwegian Jazz Federation, when there were not many independent record labels in Norway. Only major international record companies were to be found in O ...

) ;With Anne-Marie Giørtz Band *1985: ''Tigers of Pain'' (Odin Records) ;With The Per Husby Orchestra *1985: ''Dedications'' (Affinity Records) *1987: ''Your Eyes'' (NOPA) ;With Egil Monn-Iversens Storband fest. Sylfest Strutle *1985: ''Live at Gildevangen'' (Camp Records) ;With "Lille Frøen Saksofonkvartett» *1986: ''4 menn'' (Odin Records) ;With "Out To Lunch» *1988: ''Out To Lunch'' (Odin Records) *1995: ''Kullboksrytter'' (Curling Legs), with The Norwegian String Quartet and

Sidsel Endresen Sidsel Endresen (born 19 June 1952) is a Norwegian singer, composer, and actress. She was part of the Jon Eberson group. Since 1987, Endresen has pursued a successful solo career, recording for ECM. Career Endresen was one of the most prono ...

;With "Element» *1996: ''Element'' (Turn Left Prod) *1999: ''Shaman'' (Blå Productions) ;With "Bayashi» *2003: ''Help Is on Its Way'' (Ayler Records) *2004: ''Rock'' (Jazzaway Records) ;With Tine Asmundsen Lonely Woman *2003: ''Alive'' (Hazel Jazz) *2005: ''Demons' Diversions'' (Hazel Jazz) *2008: ''Radegund'' (Hazel Jazz) *2012: ''Lovely Luna'' (Hazel Jazz) ;With

*2004: ''Evening falls'' (

ECM Records ECM (Edition of Contemporary Music) is an independent record label founded by Karl Egger, Manfred Eicher and Manfred Scheffner in Munich in 1969. While ECM is best known for jazz music, the label has released a variety of recordings, and ECM's a ...

) *2006: ''Sideways'' (ECM Records) ;With Erik Wesseltoft Quintet *2004: ''Con Amor'' (Normann Records) ;With

, Richard Davis, Robert Shy *2007: ''Madison'' (Hazel Jazz) ;With The Core & More *2009: ''Vol 1 – The Art of No Return'' (Moserobie Records) ;With The Crime Time Orchestra,

and

*2009: ''Atomic Symphony'' (Jazzaway Records) ;With

John Surman John Douglas Surman (born 30 August 1944) is an English jazz saxophone, bass clarinet, and synthesizer player, and composer of free jazz and modal jazz, often using themes from folk music. He has composed and performed music for dance performanc ...

and

Bergen Big Band Bergen Big Band (BBB) is a Norwegian big band established 1991 as a continuation of Knut Kristiansen's Bergen Band. BBB is known from cooperations with musicians like Phil Woods, Paquito D'Rivera, Joe Henderson, Maria Schneider, Diana Krall, Si ...

*2014: ''Another Sky'' (

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 ...

) ;Compilations *2003: ''Bjørn Johansen in Memoriam'' (Hot Club Records), with various artists *2010: ''Jazz From Norway 2010 JazzCD.No 4th Set'' (Norsk Jazz Forum), with various artists

References

External links

Vidar Johansen Biography – Norsk jazzarkiv MIC.no
{{DEFAULTSORT:Johansen, Vidar Norwegian jazz saxophonists Norwegian jazz composers Male jazz composers Curling Legs artists Jazzaway Records artists ECM Records artists 1953 births Living people Musicians from Oslo People from Lom, Norway 21st-century saxophonists 21st-century Norwegian male musicians Søyr members Jacob Young Group members Ab und Zu members