Tord Gustavsen

Tord Gustavsen, one of the most prominent figures in Scandinavian jazz, made his debut in 2003 with “Changing Places” released by the legendary ECM Records label. The album serves as an introduction to Tord Gustavsen’s sound: innovative and futuristic in terms of musical freedom and inventiveness, while simultaneously retaining a connection to the serenity of Scandinavian landscapes.

In 2012, Tord Gustavsen released “The Well” – included in ECM’s list of 50 must-hear classics – and in 2014, “Extended Circle.” In 2018, he released “The Other Side,” a work filled with “moments of absolute beauty,” which was presented in Portugal in 2021 during a three-date tour – Castelo Branco, Caldas da Rainha, and Ponta Delgada – captivating the Portuguese audience and garnering the best reviews. More recently, Tord Gustavsen performed in Vila Real in 2023 and gave a major concert in Setúbal in 2024.

“Opening” (2022), his latest album, combines the characteristic subtlety of Nordic jazz with densely poetic and meditative harmonic environments. The album was highlighted in Pitchfork and chosen as ‘Editor’s Choice‘ in the prestigious Jazzwise magazine, and has been presented throughout Europe.

Tord Gustavsen travels the world in various formats, performing at major festivals and prestigious venues, and has received numerous awards and distinctions, such as the Norwegian Grammy (Spellemannsprisen), the CHOC award from the critics (France), the Bell Award for the best international jazz album (Australia), Recording of the Month in Stereophile magazine (USA), Preis der Deutschen Schallplattenkritik (Germany), as well as the NOPA Musikkpris for the best Norwegian jazz composition. In 2024, he was distinguished with the European Musician Prize, awarded by the French Jazz Academy.

In 2024, Tord Gustavsen released “Seeing“, completing a trilogy of post-2018 trio albums. Tord’s tenth album on the prestigious ECM Records, it represents an important milestone in his career and has developed an extensive world tour with stops in the USA, Canada, the UK, Germany, Norway and many other places.

PRESS QUOTES 

‘Opening’ creates an atmosphere perfect for a walk by a cabin at dawn, with the sun peeking in through the trees.’ PITCHFORK – 7.4/10 (Jun 2022)

‘Tord Gustavsen seems to have an open road to the place where the secret of the connection between sounds and states of soul is kept’ PÚBLICO (Nov 2021)

‘Gustavsen is an immense pianist’ RIMAS E BATIDAS (Nov 2021)

‘A trilogy [that] could be the most essential jazz document of recent years. Sublime.’ THE INDEPENDENT

‘A recording of incredible beauty. IT draws the listener in so completely – making us appreciate every note, every little gesture, in its ethereal, shimmering whole. Nothing short of magical.’ DOWNBEAT (4.5****)