Om utgivelsen
Finally, a musical update from the Norwegian jazz guitarist Hallgeir Pedersen! The album Update showcases music and compositions by one of Norway’s leading guitarists, Hallgeir Pedersen – widely renowned for his groove, playfulness and virtuosic improvisations.
With the nicknames Norway’s King of bebop and the Phantom of Øksfjord (his hometown), Hallgeir Pedersen is famous for his brilliant technique, strong identity and highly entertaining shows. Today’s editon of Hallgeir Pedersen Trio features double bass player Andreas Amundsen from Senja, and drummer Erik Nylander from Nordberg, Sweden. Together they deliver some of the finest jazz in Norway right now with music that spans from hard swing to sublime lyricism.
Hallgeir Pedersen (b.1973) is a Norwegian jazz guitarist, well known for his bop-oriented guitar, inspired by legends of jazz saxophone such as Charlie Parker and John Coltrane. He was raised in Øksfjord, a small village in the county of Finnmark, at 70 degrees north in Northern Norway. Hallgeir started on both drums and guitar before primary school. With rock and heavy music as his idom, he eventually switched to the guitar full time, playing in an advanced neo classical progressive rock style before the age of 15. In high school he studied the music of Bach and Mozart and focused on how to think in orchestral terms on the classical guitar. Here he was introduced to the work of the late North Norwegian jazz guitar legend, Thorgeir Stubø. With the urge to improvise, Hallgeir gravitated towards bebop and lead a couple of local jazz bands during the mid 90’s. He co-founded the quartet «Bebop Guitars» in 1998, which received high recognition after a successful live broadcast on national radio (1999).
Hallgeir Pedersen Trio was established in 1999 after he was approached by «the best rhythm section up north» – Konrad Kaspersen (b) and Trond Sverre Hansen (dr). The first album by the trio, West Coast Blues was recorded live at the jazz club Blå in Oslo in 2002, initiated by legendary jazz producer for NRK, Erling Wicklund. It was recognized internationally and embraced by the jazz magazines Orkesterjournalen (no 1, 2003) and Just jazz Guitar (no 5, 2003). Next, HPT played the prestigious international broadcast NRK/EBU Jazz around the world (2003) and released their second album Wistful (2004), now with new member, the legendary bass player Bjørn Alterhaug. HPT was awarded «the National Ensemble Support” by the Norwegian Arts Council in 2006. With a busy touring schedule, HPT regularly featured Swedish saxophone legend Bernt Rosengren as a solist. Their third release Bluero, arrived in 2006. It was recorded at Rainbow Studios by legendary engineer, Jan Erik Kongshaug.
Since 2006 no further albums by Hallgeir Pedersen Trio has been released, therefore it is time for an Update!
In 2002 Hallgeir Pedersen was the first recipient of the Randi Hultin Memorial Award. In 2007 he received the prestigious award «Stubøprisen» in memory of Thorgeir Stubø (1943-1986). «Håjazzprisen», the northern most jazz prize was awarded to Hallgeir Pedersen in 2010. In 2006 Pedersen was selected to represent Norway at the International Bebop Guitar-meeting, along with a number of internationally renowned guitar counterparts such as Louis Stewart (Ireland), Martin Taylor (England) og Randy Johnston (USA). Hallgeir Pedersen has participated on several jazz releases, among them the internationally acclaimed album Flight – Dec. 17 (2010) featuring Hallgeir Pedersen (g), Ivar Antonsen (p), Bjørn Alterhaug (b) and Roger Johansen (dr).
The album Update was recorded in Kysten Studio in Tromsø in April 2022, with sound engineer Espen Elverum Jakobsen. Mixed by Erik Nylander, and mastered by Martin Bowitz at Store Studio in Bodø. Cover art by Lisa Helstrøm Jørgensen.
Musikere
Hallgeir Pedersen - Guitar
Andreas Amundsen - Double bass
Erik Nylander - Drums
