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Tord Gustavsen The Child Within
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Tord Gustavsen Lay Your Sleeping Head, My Love
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artist personnel
Tord Gustavsen piano Kristin Asbjørnsen vocals Tore Brunborg saxophone Mats Eilertsen bass Jarle Vespestad drums
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Tord Gustavsen Ensemble Pre-Concert Talk with Tord Gustavsen sunday, march 28, 7PM YBCA forum
$25 General Admission| $40 Premium GA buy tickets

Scandinavia has been a source of tremendous jazz talent over the last few decades and 39-year-old Norwegian pianist Tord Gustavsen is a prime example. He works his magic with nuance, focus and restraint, clearly evident on ballads and even when the band picks up the pace and turns up the volume. “Loving every note” is the phrase the pianist uses to describe his approach. Another aspect of Gustavsen’s musical personality that sets him apart from the pack is his gift for an indelible, haunting melody. Each of his ECM albums to date features spare, melancholy songs and often draws comparisons to Keith Jarrett and the hushed, whispering side of Herbie Hancock. Typically heard in the classic piano trio setting, this SFJAZZ performance unveils Gustavsen’s new quintet format, including saxophone and vocals, which also appears on his new ECM release Restored, Returned. Prepare to be quietly stunned.

"Sounds like E.S.T. meets Keith Jarrett—with the catchy tunes of the former and something approaching the emotional intensity of the latter." Time Out New York "Tord Gustavsen is more than a promising new talent. He is already capable of providing a performance experience that is fascinating, affecting, and complete." JazzTimes