Born: June 30, 1983 Primary Instrument: Piano
Espen Berg, born June 30th 1983 in Hamar, is a Norwegian pianist, arranger and composer. He has a master’s degree in improvisation and jazz, taken at the highly acknowledged jazz department at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim. Currently, Espen’s main projects include his solo project, jazztrios Listen and Green Serene, and Kåre Kolve Quartet.
Espen has travelled around the world playing concerts in all parts of Norway, Cuba, Syria, Spain, France, Belgium, Sweden, Denmark, the Faroe Islands, Hungary, among other places. He has participated on several CDs, and worked with artists such as Per Jørgensen, Susanne Lundeng, Ragnhild Faanes Kvartett, Mambo Compañeros, Luftforsvarets Musikkorps, Ungdomssymfonikerne, Marius Neset, Jovan Pavlovic, Amer Dahbar, Maher Mahmoud, Sissel Kyrkjebø, Darryl Tookes, Ole Edvard Antonsen, Guren Hagen, Grete Storbæk Eriksen, among others. Espen has also written music for the grammy nominated Trondheim Soloists, Cikada String Quartet and Quintus.
In 2007 he was awarded with the prize for best soloist at Hoeilaart International Jazz Contest in Belgium, and he was nominated for the annual Montreux Solo Jazz Piano Competition in 2012. Espen has been lecturing at the university in Trondheim and Trøndertun college since 2005.
Awards:
1st prize, Hoeilaart Int'l Jazz Contest 2004 Best soloist, Hoeilaart Int'l Jazz Contest 2007 2nd prize, Getxo Int'l Jazz Competition 2004 Henning Børresens Talentpris 2004“A brilliant album, so pure and beautiful, and so inspiring with the ways all the songs develop” - Roald Helgheim, Dagsavisen, national newspaper
“Espen Berg succeeds perfectly with his first solo album” - Rating: 6/6 - Geir Vestad, Hamar Arbeiderblad, local newspaper
“A new top pianist. […] There's no emtpy phrase. This is as genuine and fervent as imaginable.” - Rating: 5/6 - Tor Hammerø, Side2/TV2, national broadcast channel.
Noctilucent
Espen Berg
Atterklang
2012
Til Johannes, Vandringsmann, A Majority, Proving Lights, Folketone, Ved Vågsfjorden, Sunrise, Noctilucent, En Vakker Dag, Journey's End
Espen Berg - piano
As A Side Musician
Further Directions
Kåre Kolve Quartet
Curling Legs
2010
Glacier Song, 3. Fossen, The Forest, Elephant & Castle, Marits Kveldssang, Finsesvingen, For Love Being, Last Call
Kåre Kolve - saxes, Espen Berg - piano, Jo Fougner Skaansar - bass, Magnus Forsberg - drums.
As A Leader
Living Live
Green Serene
AIMSoundCity
2010
Maple Noice - intro, Maple Noise, Torsken, Ben I Grunn, Hard Krakk, Listen In a Way, Proving Lights I, Proving Lights II, Ben I Grunn - outro
Per Jørgensen - trp/voc/perc, Espen Berg - piano, Jo Fougner Skaansar - bass, Andreas Håkestad - drums.
As A Side Musician
Den Blåaste Natt
Jo Skaansar
ta:lik
2010
Skålsong, Mias Voggesong, Mari Kva Skal Du Idag?, Joni, Maxi På Loffen, Vaknatt, Oceanen, Epilog, Solskinsveg, Den Blåaste Natt
Ine Hoem - vocals, Jo Fougner Skaansar - bass, Espen Berg - piano, Andreas Håkestad - drums, Håkon Mjåset Johansen - drums.
As a Leader
Listen II
Schmell
2009
God Morgen Danmark, Ville Veier Vakre, Dovregubbens Hull, Vandringsmann, Broremarsj, Skakketeigen, Medisinsangen, Prologue, First Meeting, Ocean Floor, Multiphonics
Bendik Giske - sax, Espen Berg - piano, Daniel Herskedal - tuba.
As a Leader
Listen!
Schmell
2007
Fresh Air, Petite Fleur, Listen!, Jovano, Norsk Hersketone, America's Greatest, Varm Snø, Visste Du At, Nuppe Horn, Guddbæj Dr. Waadeland, Struppi, Epilogue for Tuba and Voice
Bendik Giske - sax, Espen Berg - piano, Daniel Herskedal - tuba, Arve Henriksen - trumpet, Jovan Pavlovic - accordeon.
As A Side Musician
My Direction
Kåre Kolve Quartet
Curling Legs
2009
Elke's Song, Long Distance, Rognsbakken 48, Sir John T, The Messenger, Spretterten, Boilin Point, Sondregullet
Kåre Kolve - saxes, Espen Berg - piano, Jo Fougner Skaansar - bass, Magnus Forsberg - drums.
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Primary Instrument:
Piano
Location:
Trondheim
Willing to teach:
Advanced students only.
Credentials/Background:
Lecturer at Trøndertun college since 2005, and University of Science and Technology in Trondheim since 2006.
