I try to keep tabs on all the activity in Norway’s jazz and improvised-music scene, but its strength and depth is such that I still get surprised regularly. I’ve been listening to saxophonist André Roligheten for years, but as much as I’ve enjoyed his contemplative, lyrical playing in long-running duo Albatrosh (with pianist Eyolf Dale), I feel like he’s only come into his own in the past few years. He’s done great things in the Ornette Coleman-inspired Friends & Neighbors and delivered some of his most inspired and expansive work in the trio Acoustic Unity, with bassist Petter Eldh and drummer and bandleader Gard Nilssen (a ubiquitous player with the likes of Cortex and Bushman’s Revenge). I was honored to write liner notes for Acoustic Unity’s 2017 album Live in Europe (Clean Feed), a bruising triple-disc set featuring guest saxophonists Fredrik Ljungkvist, Jørgen Mathisen, and Kristoffer Berre Alberts (who plays with Nilssen in Cortex). This year Roligheten has appeared on several other strong recordings, including the debut of a quartet also called Roligheten.
Orchestra Della Svizzera Italiana/Dennis Russell Davies, Bruno Maderna/Luciano Berio: Now, and Then (ECM) Mette Rasmussen/Tashi Dorji/Tyler Damon, To the Animal Kingdom (Trost) Olivia Block, Olivia Block (Another Timbre) Bill Orcutt, Bill Orcutt (Palilalia) Larry Polanksy, FreeHorn (Cold Blue)
