Jaga Jazzist (also known as Jaga) is a Norwegian experimental

jazz band A jazz band (jazz ensemble or jazz combo) is a musical ensemble that plays jazz music. Jazz bands vary in the quantity of its members and the style of jazz that they play but it is common to find a jazz band made up of a rhythm section and a ho ...

, that rose to prominence when the

BBC The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is a British public service broadcaster headquartered at Broadcasting House in London, England. Originally established in 1922 as the British Broadcasting Company, it evolved into its current sta ...

named their second album, ''

A Livingroom Hush ''A Livingroom Hush'' is the second album of Jaga Jazzist, released in 2001 by Ninja Tune under the authority of the Warner Music Group. The BBC named it the best jazz album of 2002. The album features ten instrumental songs, most of which were ...

'' (

Smalltown Supersound Smalltown Supersound is an independent record label, founded in Flekkefjord in 1993 and now based in Oslo, Norway. It is dedicated to new forms of jazz, rock and electronic music. Their catalog features albums by Kelly Lee Owens, Deathprod, Nen ...

Ninja Tune Ninja Tune is an independent record label based in London, with a satellite office in Los Angeles. It was founded in 1990 by musicians Matt Black and Jonathan More, known collectively as Coldcut. The label was established as an outlet for Col ...

), the best jazz album of 2002. (in Norwegian)

Biography

The core of the band are the brothers and the main songwriters, Lars and Martin Horntveth. Martin formed Jaga Jazzist together with Ivar Christian Johansen in 1994 while they still were in their teens, though Johansen later left the group. The brothers are also prominent figures of the Norwegian pop act The National Bank. Jaga Jazzist nearly created a sensation with their debut album, '' Jævla Jazzist Grete Stitz'' (1996), that contained playful, humorous jazz with elements of rap. The EP ''Magazine'' (1998) showed signs of the catchy, cinematic approach to jazz music they later became known for. The very young

Lars Horntveth Lars Horntveth (born 10 March 1980 in Tønsberg, Norway) is a Norwegian musician (saxophones, clarinet, percussion and guitar), band leader, and composer. He is the younger brother of tubaist Line Horntveth, but best known as a key member of t ...

became increasingly involved in composing the music they played. After ''Magazine'' word spread about their fresh musical expressions and energetic live shows, and the band toured extensively before they signed a recording contract with

Warner Music Warner Music Group Corp., commonly abbreviated as WMG, is an American multinational entertainment and record label conglomerate headquartered in New York City. It is one of the " big three" recording companies and the third-largest in the gl ...

of Norway in 2000. The highly anticipated debut album for Warner, ''A Livingroom Hush'', was released in 2001 and consists of a melodic and energetic mix of lounge jazz, cinematic themes and instrumental rock. The producer Jørgen "Sir Duper Man" Træen played an important role during the recording, and left his mark on the disc with his crackling electronics. ''A Livingroom Hush'' won the Norwegian music award Alarm Prize in 2002 and the same year was named Jazz Album of the Year by BBC listeners. Jaga Jazzist at Voss 2014

The band features

trumpet The trumpet is a brass instrument commonly used in classical and jazz musical ensemble, ensembles. The trumpet group ranges from the piccolo trumpet—with the highest Register (music), register in the brass family—to the bass trumpet, pitche ...

trombone The trombone (, Italian, French: ''trombone'') is a musical instrument in the Brass instrument, brass family. As with all brass instruments, sound is produced when the player's lips vibrate inside a mouthpiece, causing the Standing wave, air c ...

electric guitar An electric guitar is a guitar that requires external electric Guitar amplifier, sound amplification in order to be heard at typical performance volumes, unlike a standard acoustic guitar. It uses one or more pickup (music technology), pickups ...

bass Bass or Basses may refer to: Fish * Bass (fish), various saltwater and freshwater species Wood * Bass or basswood, the wood of the tilia americana tree Music * Bass (sound), describing low-frequency sound or one of several instruments in th ...

drums The drum is a member of the percussion instrument, percussion group of musical instruments. In the Hornbostel–Sachs classification system, it is a membranophones, membranophone. Drums consist of at least one Acoustic membrane, membrane, c ...

tuba The tuba (; ) is the largest and lowest-pitched musical instrument in the brass instrument, brass family. As with all brass instruments, the sound is produced by lip vibrationa buzzinto a mouthpiece (brass), mouthpiece. It first appeared in th ...

bass clarinet The bass clarinet is a musical instrument of the clarinet family. Like the more common Soprano clarinet, soprano B clarinet, it is usually pitched in B (meaning it is a transposing instrument on which a written C sounds as B), but it plays no ...

Fender Rhodes The Rhodes piano (also known as the Fender Rhodes piano) is an electric piano invented by Harold Rhodes, which became popular in the 1970s. Like a conventional piano, the Rhodes generates sound with keys and hammers, but instead of strings, t ...

vibraphone The vibraphone (also called the vibraharp) is a percussion instrument in the metallophone family. It consists of tuned metal bars and is typically played by using Percussion mallet, mallets to strike the bars. A person who plays the vibraphone ...

and a rack of electronics, as well as strong melodies and rhythms.

Talk Talk Talk Talk were an English band formed in 1981 by Mark Hollis (vocals, guitar, piano), Lee Harris (drums), Paul Webb (bass), and Simon Brenner (keyboards). Initially a synth-pop group, Talk Talk's first two albums, '' The Party's Over'' (198 ...

Soft Machine Soft Machine are an English Rock music, rock band from Canterbury, Kent. The band were formed in 1966 by Mike Ratledge, Robert Wyatt, Kevin Ayers, Daevid Allen and Larry Nowlin. Soft Machine were central in the Canterbury scene; they became o ...

John Coltrane John William Coltrane (September 23, 1926 – July 17, 1967) was an American jazz saxophonist, bandleader and composer. He is among the most influential and acclaimed figures in the Jazz#Post-war jazz, history of jazz and 20th-century musi ...

Don Cherry Donald Stewart Cherry (born February 5, 1934) is a Canadian former ice hockey player, coach, and television commentator. He played one game in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Boston Bruins. After concluding a playing career in the A ...

Aphex Twin Richard David James (born 18 August 1971), known professionally as Aphex Twin, is a British musician, composer and DJ active in electronic music since 1988. His idiosyncratic work has drawn on many styles, including techno, ambient music, ambi ...

Stereolab Stereolab are an English people, Anglo-French avant-pop band formed in London in 1990. Led by the songwriting team of Tim Gane and Lætitia Sadier, the group's sound incorporates repetitive motorik beats with the use of vintage electronic keybo ...

Squarepusher Thomas Russell Jenkinson (born 17 January 1975), known professionally as Squarepusher, is an English electronic musician, record producer, bassist, multi-instrumentalist and DJ. His music spans several genres including drum and bass, IDM, a ...

and

Tortoise Tortoises ( ) are reptiles of the family Testudinidae of the order Testudines (Latin for "tortoise"). Like other turtles, tortoises have a shell to protect from predation and other threats. The shell in tortoises is generally hard, and like o ...

are frequently mentioned as sources of inspiration. Jaga Jazzist is widely considered to be one of the premier acts of the so-called

nu-jazz Nu jazz (also spelt nü jazz or known as jazztronica, or future jazz) is a genre of jazz and electronic music. The music blends jazz elements with other musical styles, such as funk, electronic music, and free improvisation. Nu jazz typically ve ...

movement of

Scandinavia Scandinavia is a subregion#Europe, subregion of northern Europe, with strong historical, cultural, and linguistic ties between its constituent peoples. ''Scandinavia'' most commonly refers to Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. It can sometimes also ...

. Also,

The Mars Volta The Mars Volta is an American Rock music, rock band formed in 2001. The band's only constant members are Omar Rodríguez-López (guitar, producer, direction) and Cedric Bixler-Zavala (vocals, lyrics), whose partnership forms the core of the ban ...

cite Jaga Jazzist as one of their favourite bands. Jaga Jazzist's studio album ''

One-Armed Bandit A slot machine, fruit machine (British English), poker machine or pokie (Australian English and New Zealand English) is a gambling machine that creates a game of chance for its customers. A slot machine's standard layout features a screen disp ...

'' was released on January 25, 2010, on

. In May 2013, Jaga Jazzist collaborated with the

Britten Sinfonia Britten Sinfonia is a chamber orchestra ensemble based in Cambridge, UK. It was created in 1992, following an initiative from Eastern Arts and a number of key figures including Nicholas Cleobury, who recognised the need for an orchestra in the ...

to release ''

Live with Britten Sinfonia ''Live with Britten Sinfonia'' is a live album by Norwegian band Jaga Jazzist and English orchestra Britten Sinfonia. It was recorded in 2012 and released in May 2013 under Ninja Tune Ninja Tune is an independent record label based in London ...

'' on Ninja Tune, to a positive critical reception.

All About Jazz ''All About Jazz'' is a website established by Michael Ricci in 1995. A volunteer staff publishes news, album reviews, articles, videos, and listings of concerts and other events having to do with jazz. Ricci maintains a related site, ''Jazz Near ...

's John Kelman wrote of the album: "That Live with Britten Sinfonia was an album not necessarily intended to happen at the time of the recording only makes its release all the sweeter. This 35-piece marriage of Jaga Jazzist and Britten Sinfonia is capable of everything from earth-shattering power to refined beauty. With Britten conducted by Christian Eggen, Live with Britten Sinfonia is the vital document of an opportunity that no longer need feel missed by so many Jaga fans around the world—an album that, transcending their already significant accomplishments, demonstrates even greater potential for Lars Horntveth's writing and Jaga Jazzist's effortless (and faultless) performances." Jaga Jazzist released their album '' Starfire'' in 2015 on Ninja Tune.

Members

Current members

– tenor sax, baritone sax, soprano sax, clarinet, bass clarinet, flute, guitar, piano, keyboards, programming, lap steel guitar (1994–present) *

Line Horntveth Line Horntveth (born 26 November 1974 in Tønsberg, Norway) is a Norwegian musician (tuba, flute percussion, and vocals), the sister of the musicians Martin and Lars Horntveth, married to the upright bassist Bjørn Holm, and known from a series ...

– tuba, flute, percussion, vocals (1994–present) *

Martin Horntveth Martin Horntveth (born 20 September 1977) is a Norwegians, Norwegian musician (primarily drummer), composer and electronica artist. He was born in Tønsberg, and is the younger brother of tubaist Line Horntveth, but is best known as the drummer ...

– percussion, drums, programming (1994–present) *

Andreas Mjøs Andreas Mjøs (born 1 March 1976 in Tønsberg, Norway) is a Norwegian musician, record producer and composer, known from a series of performances and albums within Jaga Jazzist. He is also on a number of other album releases both as performer an ...

– guitar, percussion, glockenspiel, marimba, vibraphone (1994–present) * Even Ormestad – bass, percussion, glockenspiel, keyboards (1995–present) * Erik Johannessen – trombone, marxophone, percussion (2005–present) *

Øystein Moen Øystein Moen (born 16 August 1980) is a Norwegian jazz pianist and composer known for his participation in the bands Jaga Jazzist, Puma and Highasakite. Career Moen was born in Steinkjer Municipality, and studied music on the Jazz program at ...

– keyboards, percussion (2008–present) *Marcus Forsgren – guitar, effects (2009–present)

Past members

*Harald Frøland – guitar (1994–2005, 2006–2007) * Ivar Christian Johansen – trumpet, vocals (1994–2001) *Jonas Bendiksen – keyboards (1994–1997) *Lars Wabø – trombone (1994–2005) *Mads Jansen – trombone (1994) *Marius Hesby – trombone (1994) *Tomas Viken – tenor saxophone (1994) *Lars Erik Myran – bass (1994) *

Jørgen Munkeby Jørgen Munkeby (born 3 September 1980 in Oslo, Norway) is a Norwegians, Norwegian jazz rock and Heavy metal music, heavy metal musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer, known as the frontman in the band Shining (Norwegian band), Shining ...

– alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, flute, alto flute, bass clarinet, keyboards (1995–2002) *Håvard Myklebust – trombone (1996) *Torgeir Audunson – trumpet (1996–1997) *Bjørn Strand – tenor saxophone (1997) *

Sjur Miljeteig Sjur Miljeteig (born 4 January 1974) is a Norwegian jazz musician (trumpet), composer and author, married 20 October 2007 to the actress Ane Dahl Torp (1975), and they live in Oslo with their two children, a boy (2010) and a girl (2012). He is ...

– trumpet (1997) *

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, French horn, keyboards, upright bass (1998–2014) *

Morten Qvenild Morten Qvenild (born 31 August 1978) is a Norwegian jazz pianist, band leader, and producer. Career Qvenild started his jazz career in the big band Ung Musikk in 1995, followed by studies on the Jazz program at the Norges Musikkhøgskole. He u ...

– keyboards (2001) *Ketil Einarsen – flute, keys, percussion (2002–2005, 2006–2007) *Andreas Hessen Schei – keyboards (2002–2005, 2006–2007) *Nils Martin Larsen – keyboards (2005) *

Anders Hana Anders Hana (born 7 August 1982 in Stavanger, Norway) is a Norwegian musician (guitar), composer and marine biologist, known as a veteran of the bands ''Noxagt'', ''Ultralyd'' and ''Moha!'', and a series of wildlife projects in northern Norway. ...

– guitar, effects (2005) *

Stian Westerhus Stian Westerhus (born 2 April 1979) is a Norwegian guitarist known for his experimental style, explored with keyboardist Øystein Moen in the bands Jaga Jazzist and Puma and with Sidsel Endresen, Nils Petter Molvær, Arve Henriksen, Jan Bang, a ...

– guitar, effects (2008–2009)

Discography

Studio albums

*1996: '' Jævla Jazzist Grete Stitz'' (Thug Records) *2002: ''

'' (

) *2003: ''

The Stix ''The'' is a grammatical article in English, denoting nouns that are already or about to be mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The' ...

'' (WEA International Inc.) *2005: ''

What We Must ''What We Must'' is the fourth studio album by the Norwegian band Jaga Jazzist. It was released 25 April 2005 by Ninja Tune. Recording The album was produced by Kåre Christoffer Vestrheim and Marcus Schmickler. It was recorded by Mario Thale ...

'' (

) *2010: ''

'' (Ninja Tune) *2015: '' Starfire'' (Ninja Tune) *2020: ''

Pyramid A pyramid () is a structure whose visible surfaces are triangular in broad outline and converge toward the top, making the appearance roughly a pyramid in the geometric sense. The base of a pyramid can be of any polygon shape, such as trian ...

'' (

Brainfeeder Brainfeeder is an independent record label based in Los Angeles, California, founded by Flying Lotus in 2008, focusing on electronic music and instrumental hip hop. It has signed artists such as Ras G, Samiyam, The Gaslamp Killer, Thundercat, ...

)

EPs

*1998: ''Magazine'' () *2001: ''Airborne/Going Down'' (WEA International Inc.) *2002: ''Days'' (

) *2003: ''Animal Chin'' (Gold Standard Laboratories) *2004: ''Day'' (

) *2010: ''Bananfluer Overalt'' (

)

Live

*2013: ''

'' (Ninja Tune) *2021: ''The Tower'' (

)

DVDs

*2009: ''Live at Cosmopolite'' (

)

Collaborations

*2003: '' In the Fishtank 10'' (Konkurrent) – Jaga Jazzist Horns (L. Horntveth, Eick and Munkeby) in collaboration with

Motorpsycho Motorpsycho may refer to: * Motorpsycho (band) Motorpsycho is a Norwegian rock band from Trondheim. Their music can generally be defined as progressive or psychedelic rock, but they also mix in elements from alternative, jazz, post-rock, po ...

Contributions

*2003: ''Sivil Ulyd 2: Sivilarbeiderplata'' (Passive Fist Productions), compilation various artists

References

External links

Jaga Jazzist's Official Homepage2010 interview with Martin Hornveth on Prog SphereLive report from the New York's 2011 concert on Prog SphereJaga Jazzist - One-Armed Bandit (Live) on NRK
by

YouTube YouTube is an American social media and online video sharing platform owned by Google. YouTube was founded on February 14, 2005, by Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim who were three former employees of PayPal. Headquartered in ...

{{Authority control Norwegian electronic music groups Norwegian post-rock groups Norwegian jazz ensembles Norwegian experimental musical groups Ninja Tune artists Musical groups established in 1994 1994 establishments in Norway Musical groups from Oslo Spellemannprisen winners Acid jazz ensembles Smalltown Supersound artists