KJERSTI STUBØ feat. MiNensemblet

HOW HIGH IS THE SKY (BLGCD018)


This is Bolage´s first release with vocals. And what a release it turned out to be!
Kjersti Stubø has selected some of her favorite songs, and together with her working quartet and MiNensemblet, she delivers fresh, new music, consistent in quality, yet full of surprises.
Jørn Øien has done a fantastic job with the arrangements, which range all the way from playful, almost Bollywood-esque riffs to steel blue soundscapes that evoke associations with Gil Evans, Debussy and Messiaen.
As uncompromising local patriots, we in Bolage really dig that the connection to Northern Norway and Narvik in particular is so strong on this release. Narvik is for lovers!


Kjersti Stubø (vocals)
From Narvik, born in 1970. For nearly two decades, Kjersti has been one of Norway´s leading jazz vocalists. She has worked with people like Herbie Hancock, Palle Mikkelborg and Doug Raney, and this is her second album as a leader.

Jørn Øien (piano)
From Narvik, born in 1968. Recognized as one of Norway's foremost jazz pianists, Øien works regularly with bands like Beady Belle, Geir Lysne Listening Ensemble, and not least his own Jørn Øien Trio, which released the critically acclaimed album "Digging in the Dark" on Bolage last year (BLGCD011).

Jon Rune Strøm (bass)
From Namsos, born in 1985. Jon Rune has quickly established himself as one of Norway´s leading young bass players, and plays with people like Paul Nilssen-Love, Frode Gjerstad and Petter Wettre. Jon Rune has so far only been to Narvik one single time.

Håkon Mjåset Johansen (drums)
From Trondheim, born 1975. Håkon is one of the busiest jazz musicians in Norway, and he is also well represented in the Bolage catalogue, most notably with IPA and Håvard Stubø Quartet. Håkon has visited Narvik on numerous occasions.

MiNensemblet
Professional ensemble, based in Narvik. Since their emergence in 1992, the ensemble has had a particular focus on contemporary music. In recent years, they´ve toured quite a bit, both in Norway and abroad, done several CDs, and collaborated with famous artists like Bjorn Andor Drage, Arvid Engegård, Ole Paus, Arve Tellefsen, Mary Utiger, Bobby McFerrin etc.