Tord Gustavsen Trio

About the artist

Before he started his trio, Norwegian pianist Tord Gustavsen had already been an important part of his country's jazz scene for several years. Contributions to releases by groups like the Silje Nergaard Band had already helped to establish him as one of Norway's top players. In 2003, signed to ECM, Gustavsen, along with drummer Jarle Vespestad and bassist Harald Johnsen, released 'Changing Places' which was followed by strong selling 'The Ground', and then in 2007 'Being There'. In 2010, Gustavsen delivered 'Restored, Returned' on ECM, with an extended ensemble featuring vocalist Kristin Asbjørnsen. He issued his first quartet recording, 'The Well', in 2012, and his second, 'Extended Circle', in January of 2014. After extensive international touring, Gustavsen and his new alternative trio with Simin Tander on voice and Jarle Vespestad on drums released the striking 'What Was Said' in 2016, where ancient Norwegian hymns are re-interpreted as Sufi poems and translated into the hauntingly beautiful language Pashto. Along with work under his own name, Gustavsen is featured on a number of other projects, with Solveig Slettahjell; Kim Rysstad; Arve Henriksen; the choir SKRUK; Iranian singer Mahsa Vahdat and others. In 2018, Tord released a long awaited new instrumental trio album, featuring Sigurd Hole on bass and Jarle Vespestad on drums. This was followed by 'Opening' in 2022 and 'Seeing' in 2024, now featuring Steinar Raknes on bass. And the journey continues..