Ole Morten Vågan (born 8 May 1979) is a Norwegian jazz musician and composer (

upright bass The double bass (), also known as the upright bass, the acoustic bass, the bull fiddle, or simply the bass, is the largest and lowest-pitched string instrument, chordophone in the modern orchestra, symphony orchestra (excluding rare additions ...

), and the older brother of guitarist

Petter Vågan Petter Vågan (born 6 July 1982 in Brønnøysund, Northern Norway) is a Norwegian singer, guitarist, composer, and the younger brother of double bass player Ole Morten Vågan. He is the bandleader, singer, and guitarist of the Norwegian indie ...

. He is known from several recordings and is currently acting as artistic director for the Trondheim Jazz Orchestra. Vågan is also known from cooperating with some of the most influential musicians and composers internationally and has released eight albums as a leader, recently with the TJO (Happy Endlings, Odin records 2018), as well as six albums with his group Motif and one with the group The Deciders. (in Norwegian); accessed 7 August 2015.

Career

Vågan was born in

Brønnøysund Brønnøysund () is a List of towns and cities in Norway, town and the administrative centre of Brønnøy Municipality in Nordland county, Norway. The town has a population (2024) of 5,093 and a population density of . It is also a List of for ...

. He began his career as a jazz musician in the Nord-Norsk Ungdomstorband at the end of the 1990s and launched his own project "Ole Morten Vågan Projekt" on tour for Nordnorsk Jazzforum in 1999. This was also documented with a concert for radio on

NRK P2 NRK P2 is one of three main, nationwide radio channels produced by the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK). Its current format – focusing on news and current affairs, debate, analysis, culture, science, and society – is the result of t ...

, ''Jazzklubben'', hosted by Erling Wicklund recorded at ''Nordland Musikkfestuke''. He was a graduate of the Jazz program at Trondheim Musikkonservatorium (1998–2002). In 1999 he formed the quintet ''Motif'', together with

Atle Nymo Atle Nymo (born 9 June 1977) is a Norwegian jazz musician (tenor saxophone and bass clarinet), and the younger brother of Jazz saxophonist Frode Nymo. He is known for his contributions with the orchestras Motif (band), Motif, one of his main pro ...

(tenor 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), David Thor Jonsson (piano) and

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

(drums), where he composes the main part of the repertoire himself. In 2000 Vågan lead the band ''Motif'' at

Moldejazz Molde International Jazz Festival (MIJF) or Moldejazz (established 1961 in Molde Municipality) 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 1 ...

and was awarded "NOPA's Composer Prize" the same year, as well as "Young Nordic Jazzcomets" the year after, at ''

Copenhagen Jazz Festival Copenhagen Jazz Festival is a jazz event every July in Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark. Copenhagen Jazz Festival was established in 1979, but beginning in 1964 Tivoli Gardens presented a series of concerts under the name Copenhagen Jazz Festiv ...

''. As both a bassist and composer, he has worked at the intersection of improvised and notated music, and in 2011 published his seventh disc with the aforementioned MOTIF, to critical acclaim. In 2009 he wrote an hour's music to a tentett, which besides ''Motifs permanent members, included

Mattias Ståhl Mattias Ståhl (born 11 December 1971 in Oskarshamn, Oskarshamn, Sweden) is a Swedish jazz Vibraphone, vibraphonist (also marimba, glockenspiel, clarinet, harmonica, synthesizer, percussion) and composer. Biography Ståhl plays with Eirik Hegda ...

Ola Kvernberg 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 br ...

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 ...

, and

. Vågan received the DnB NOR award at

Kongsberg Jazzfestival 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 ...

i 2009, and came back the following year with new music, this time for a band consisting of influential musicians from the European improvisational scenes:

Axel Dörner Axel Dörner (born 26 April 1964 in Cologne, Germany) is a German trumpeter, pianist, and composer. Biography Dörner studied piano in the Dutch town Arnhem (1988–89) and at the Cologne University of Music, Music Academy in Cologne (1989– ...

and

Rudi Mahall Rudi Mahall (born December 23, 1966) is a contemporary jazz bass clarinetist. While studying classical clarinet, Mahall shifted towards contemporary music, improvisation and jazz. He is, or was a member of following bands: Avantgardeband ''D ...

(DE), as well as

Fredrik Ljungkvist Håkan ''Fredrik'' Ljungkvist (born 29 November 1969 in Kristinehamn, Sweden), is a Swedish jazz musician (saxophone and clarinet), the son of saxophonist Håkan Ljungkvist and married to the jazz singer Lina Nyberg. Career Ljungkvist was ...

and

Jon Fält Jon Fält (born 28 August 1979 in Gävle, Sweden) is a Swedish drummer in modern jazz. Biography Fält was raised in Sandviken and had first music lessons with Stefan Bergkvist at the Kulturskolan. From 1990 he played in the ''Sandvik Small B ...

(SE).

Honors

*2009:

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 ...

Discography

;With Motif *2004: ''Motif'' (AIM Records) *2005: ''Expansion'' (AIM Records) *2008: ''Apo Calypso'' (

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 ...

) *2010: ''Facienda'' (Jazzland Records) *2011: ''Art Transplant'' (

Clean Feed Records Clean Feed Records is a jazz record label founded in Lisbon, Portugal, in 2001. The label's roster includes Ray Anderson, Tim Berne, Carlos Bica, Anthony Braxton, Mark Dresser, Ellery Eskelin, Peter Evans, Scott Fields, Fight the Big Bull, C ...

), with

*2016: ''My Head Is Listening'' (Clean Feed Records) ;With

Tore Johansen Tore Johansen (born 23 December 1977) is a Norwegian jazz trumpeter and the younger brother of drummer Roger Johansen. He has worked with Chick Corea, Karin Krog, Kenny Wheeler, Steve Swallow, Lars Jansson, Hal Galper, Siri Gellein, and Jan Gunn ...

*2001: ''Happy Days'' (

Gemini Records Gemini Records (initiated 1984 in Oslo, Norway) is a Norwegian record label founded and run by Bjørn Petersen (b. 1939). Background The primary goal of Gemini Records was to release albums by saxophonist Bjarne Nerem. Gradually this aim broad ...

) *2002: ''Windows'' (Gemini Records) *2005: ''Like That'' (Gemini Records) *2007: ''Rainbow Session'' (Inner Ear) ;With Klaus Ellerhusen Holm *2004: ''Two Way Street'' (Jazzaway Records) *2006: ''What Was That You Said?'' (Jazzaway Records), as Klaus Holm Kollektif ;With Maria Kannegaard Trio *2005: ''Quiet Joy'' ( Jazzland Records) *2007: ''Live in Oslo'' (MNJ Records), with ''

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 ...

'' *2008: ''Camel walk'' (Jazzland Records) ;With ''

'' feat.

Eirik Hegdal Eirik Hegdal (born 3 October 1973 in Gjøvik, Norway) is a Norwegians, 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). Ca ...

*2005: ''We Are?'' (Jazzaway Records) *2008: ''Wood And Water'' (MNJ Records) *2009: ''What if?'' (MNJ Records) ;With

Jonas Kullhammar Jonas Kullhammar (2 September 1978 in Nacka, Sweden) is a Swedish jazz composer, saxophonist and is one of Sweden's most established jazz musicians. Career Since 1998 his main group has been Jonas Kullhammar Quartet, and he has participated on ...

*2005: ''Andratx'' (Moserobie Music Production) *2009: ''Andratx Live'' (Moserobie Music Production) ;With 'Juxtaposed' *2010: ''Tsar Bomba'' (Bolage Records) ;With Gammalgrass *2013: ''Obsolete Music 1'' (Division Records) ;With The Deciders *2013: ''We Travel The Airwaves'' (

) ;With Obara International *2013: ''Komeda'' (For Tune) *2013: ''Live At Manggha'' (For Tune) *2015: ''Live In Mińsk Mazowiecki'' (For Tune) ;With

Thomas Strønen Thomas Pohlitz 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 Molva ...

*2015: ''Time Is A Blind Guide'' (

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 ...

) *2018: ''Lucus'' (ECM Records) ;With Snik *2015: ''Metasediment Rock'' (

) ;With Team Hegdal *2015: ''Vol 3'' (Particular Recordings) *2017: ''Vol 4'' (Particular Recordings) ;With Maciej Obara Quartet *2017: ''Unloved'' (ECM Records) *2019: ''Three Crowns'' (ECM Records) *2023: ''Frozen Silence'' (ECM Records) ;With others *2004: ''Please don't shoot'' (Moserobie Music), with the band 'Brat' (

) *2005: ''First Communion'' (

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 ...

), with ''

Anders Aarum Anders Aarum (born 17 December 1974) is a Norwegian jazz pianist, known from numerous albums and international collaborations like Sonny Simmons, Ola Kvernberg, Tine Asmundsen, Sigurd Køhn, Børre Dalhaug, Nora Brockstedt and Even Kruse Ska ...

Trio'' *2005: ''Christmas Songs'' (Jazzavdelingen), with

Nora Brockstedt Nora Brockstedt (20 January 1923 – 5 November 2015) was a Norwegian singer. She was the first person ever to represent Norway in the European Song Contest, appearing as the Norwegian entrant in 1960 and 1961. She was first nationally kno ...

*2005: ''Two Way Street'' (Jazzaway Records), with ''Roundtrip'' *2007: ''The Arcades Project'' (

/ Universal Music Norway), with Håvard Wiik Trio *2007: ''Subaquatic Disco'' (AIM Records), with The Espen Reinertsen Organic Jukebox *2008: ''52 : 29'' (

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 ...

), with

Erlend Skomsvoll Erlend Fredrik Skomsvoll (born 12 May 1969) is a Norwegian jazz musician (piano, keyboards, accordion, and tuba), band leader, composer and arranger, known from his own band Skomsork and the band Wibutee with Live Maria Roggen, Madrugada, and ...

(CD/DWD) *2008: ''New Conceptions of Jazz Box'' (Jazzland Recordings), with

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 ...

(3xCD) *2008: ''Maryland – Live!'' (Moserobie Music), with ''Maryland (9)'' (

Maria Kannegaard Maria Kannegaard (born 6 October 1970) is a Danish-born Norwegian jazz musician and pianist. She has lived in Norway since age 10. She is known from her own ''Maria Kannegaard trio'' and cooperation with, among others Live Maria Roggen's ''Live ...

) *2008: ''Lucid Grey'' (Dravle Records), with

Tore Brunborg Tore Brunborg (born 20 May 1960) is a Norwegians, Norwegian jazz musician and composer who plays saxophone. He was born in Trondheim but grew up in Voss where a jazz environment was flowering. Known from numerous appearances with international g ...

*2008: ''A Festa Vale Tudo'' ( Records), with '' Erik Nylanders Orkester'' *2009: ''Assim Falava Jazzatustra'' (Clean Feed), with

Júlio Resende Júlio Resende ( Faro, 10 June 1982) is a Portuguese pianist and composer. He is a pioneer of a unique and new genre called "Fado-Jazz". His improvisation techniques are transversal to his aesthetics, and articulate different musical genres, from ...

*2011: ''Liarbird'' (2011), with

*2011: ''You Taste Like A Song'' (Clean Feed), with Júlio Resende Trio

References

External links

* } {{DEFAULTSORT:Vagan, Ole Morten 1979 births Living people Musicians from Brønnøy Norwegian jazz composers Norwegian jazz upright-bassists Norwegian male double-bassists Norwegian University of Science and Technology alumni 21st-century Norwegian upright-bassists 21st-century Norwegian male musicians Maria Kannegaard Trio members Trondheim Jazz Orchestra members Motif (band) members Jazzland Recordings (1997) artists Clean Feed Records artists