BALLROGG

INSOMNIA (BLGCD010)

Released 25.01.10

The Norwegian duo Ballrogg, consisting of saxophone player Klaus Ellerhusen Holm and bass player Roger Arntzen, have made an intriguing new album. Since their critically acclaimed self-titled debut album (BLGCD003), the duo has moved into significantly deeper water, drawing influences from European contemporary music as well as American avantgarde. On Insomnia, their influences are mixed with a cinematic sensitivity, creating soundscapes that are deeply disturbing and stunningly beautiful.

On Insomnia the duo are joined by guitarist/laptop artist Lars Myrvoll and violinist couple Ole-Henrik Moe and Kari Rønnekleiv on three tracks, expanding the duo´s sonic palette even further.

BALLROGG (BLGCD003)

Released 10.03.09

We are very proud to present our third release: the Norwegian duo Ballrogg´s self titled debut album. Ballrogg is Klaus Ellerhusen Holm on alto saxophone and clarinet, and Roger Arntzen on the double bass. It is a true joy to hear two accomplished and daring young players interpret classics from the free jazz/ avantgarde repertoire, including works by Eric Dolphy, Jimmy Giuffre and Ornette Coleman. Three songs are composed by the band members them selves. The transparency of the duo format gives the music a rare purity, and really makes the quality of the songs shine through. Exploring yet lyrical, this music is fresh, challenging and strikingly beautiful.

Klaus Ellerhusen Holm (sax, clar) leads his own group Klaus Holm Kollektif, who was awarded "Yong Nordic Jazzcomets 2003". He plays free-improvised music with the Norwegian trio Murmur and has worked with international artists such as Raymond Strid, Axel Dörner, Jim Denley, Mattias Ståhl, Ingebrigt Håker Flaten, Ingar Zach, Sture Ericson and Frode Gjerstad, and has done tours on festivals and jazzclubs in several countries in both Europe, America and Asia. The last years he has also composed music for various chamber music settings and also music for film.

Roger Arntzen (double bass) is known from the piano trio In The Country, who was awarded "Young Jazz Musicians Of The Year 2004" in Norway. The trio has released three albums on the Norwegian cult-label Rune Grammofon to much acclaim. He is a regular together with Shining-leader Jørgen Munkeby with the noise-rock-jazz-quartet Chrome Hill and has teamed up with Chrome Hill-drummer Torstein Lofthus as two thirds of Håvard Stubø Trio. He has also worked with downtown NYC icon Marc Ribot and pedal-steel guitarist Bob Hoffnar, and other international artists such as Neil Metcalfe, Terry Day, John Russell, Sidsel Endresen, Susanna Wallumrød and Stian Carstensen.

Said about the debut album:

Considering that this is merely just a duo, they are well-matched and consistently inspired throughout. Superbly recorded as well.
Downtown Music Gallery (US)

A conception that strives for beauty without ever touching on anything conventionally lyrical. Cadence (US)

This is an excellent debut from a pair who have clearly not only set the bar high for themselves, but for the music as a whole. Bagatellen (US)

Lyrical chaos [..] In the harmony that dominates the album, the duo is a beautiful unit. 5/6 Bergens Tidende (NO)

They come from below with a story to tell and show areas in jazz that are closely related to poetry. 5/6 Aftenposten (NO)