When Tord Gustavsen performs at the Oslo Jazz Festival, it’s mostly to sold out venue, whether it's at the Opera or the Oslo Cathedral. We have no reason to believe that it’ll be any different when he brings vocalist Simin Tander and drummer Jarle Vespestad to Sentralen during this year's festival.
In 2009, Tord Gustavsen won the Spellemann Prize in the jazz category. He has received a number of critical accolades in the USA, France, Germany, UK and Australia. In addition to playing in various groups, he has been a sought-after accompanist and worked with well-known singers such as Simin Tander, Kristin Asbjørnsen, Silje Nergaard and Solveig Slettahjell.
The collaboration with the German-Afghan vocalist Simin Tander started in 2014 and was documented with the beautiful album What Was Said, released by ECM. Tander is one of Europe's most exciting vocalists, with a unique approach to the vocal art that is as much influenced by jazz as from Middle Eastern and Central Asian tradition. Musically, there is also a common thread from the Tord Gustavsen Trio, of which Jarle Vespestad is also a member, to this collaboration. Atmospheric, exciting and very delicate.