Jan Gunnar Hoff

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Born: October 22, 1958 Primary Instrument: Piano

Norwegian pianoplayer and composer educated at the Jazzdepartment, Trondheim Conservatory and at NMH, composition. Hoff has played and collaborated with Alex Acuña, Mike Stern, Pat Metheny, Kenwood Dennard, Joanna McGregor, Lars Danielsson, Cæcilie Norby, Fathy Salama, Martin France, Chick Corea, Arild Andersen, Nils Petter Molvær a.o. In 1982 he was part of a national all star band performing Jan Garbareks composition for the FNJ, Norwegian Jazz Forum.

Hoff has released five CDs with his own Jan Gunnar Hoff Group that consists of leading Norwegian jazzperformers Audun Kleive (dr) and Bjørn Kjellemyr (bass). This band has toured all over Scandinavia and played major festivals in London, Molde, Bergen etc.

In 2005 Hoff received the prestigous Edvard Grieg prize as a composer for his jazz mass Meditatus. He wrote the commission work “Free flow songs” for Vossajazz in 2005. Recently he has become a professor at the University in Tromsø and at the University in Kristiansand.

His last solo CD MAGMA (2008) has an international line up with Mike Stern, Mathias Eick, Maria Joao, Eivind Aarset a.o. A new trio with Alex Acuna (dr) and Per Mathisen (bass) is a main project for 2010.

In 2008 and 2009 Hoff has performed and toured in Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Croatia, Iceland, Austria, Italy, Sweden, USA, England and Norway, including major cities such as New York, London, Stockholm, Zagreb and Moscow.

Awards:

- "Northern Lights"- prize 2006 as an important musician and composer from Northern Norway
- The Edvard Grieg Prize 2005 for his jazzmass "Meditatus"
- The Stubö- prize 1997 for his efforts in North-Norwegian Jazz

Last Updated: February 19, 2010

”The thoroughly exciting Jungle City. From the higher velocity of Mathisen's title track and frenetically swinging “Jangala,” to Hoff's abstract, synth-laden ”Visions” and more upbeat, equally Zawinul-esque “Tribute,” Jungle City clearly reveals an unmistakable reference point for these two fine Norwegian players, on one of Acuña's best co-led sessions to date”-
John Kelman, AAJ nov 2009

”The new album is unforged, crystal clean Norwegian jazz. The pianist and composer Hoff becomes 50 this year. Magma is a worthy present for this day and of course for audiences that enjoy jazz”-
Czékus Mihály, Hungary 2008

”Hoff emerges as a keyboardist of considerable versatility and flair. Clearly a player and musical mind to watch. An intriguing and often rewarding album that is well worth checking out”-
Richard Palmer, Jazz Journal nov 1998

“Hoff has with his CD CROSSLANDS established himself as one of the important artists within Nordic jazz. He shows his own distinct language in both his pianoplaying and in his fine compositions”-
Jazz Stage, Sweden 1998

“The CD MOVING with Norwegian keyboardist Jan Gunnar Hoff has more substance. This CD and his music is simply on top”-
Jazz Special, Denmark 1995

“With this CD (Moving) Jan Gunnar Hoff definitely takes a step into the Premiere League of jazz. He is about to establish himself as one of the most important musicians on the Norwegian Jazz Scene in the late Nineties” -
JAZZNYTT, Norway 1995

“An excellent album”-
Boris Rabinowitch, Politiken (Copenhagen) ”Syklus” 1993

As a Leader

MAGMA
Grappa, Norway
2008

Tracks: Magma; Life; Journey home; Stone; Maria´s intro;Winds; Earth song; Time; Light years; Karingana; Ghiculo
All composition by Jan Gunnar Hoff

Personnel: Mike Stern:guitar, Maria Joao:vocals, Mathias Eick:trp, Audun Kleive:dr, Jan Gunnar Hoff:piano,keys, Bjørn Kjellemyr:bass, Helge Norbakken:perc, Eivind Aarset: guitars.

IN TOWN
Curling legs, Norway
2003
Tracks: In town; Revamp; Promises; Your song; Clouds; Bits and pieces; Seven seas; The return; Picture I; Picture II
All composition by Jan Gunnar Hoff except Your song by Tore Brunborg

Personnel: Tore Brunborg: sax; Mathias Eick:trp, Audun Kleive:dr, Jan Gunnar Hoff:piano,keys, Bjørn Kjellemyr:bass, Børge P.Overleir: guitars.

CROSSLANDS
Curling legs, Norway
1998

Tracks: Crosslands; Borderline; Common ground; Main street; The mind the will part I; The mind the will part II; Decisions; Echoes; Long time since
All composition by Jan Gunnar Hoff

Personnel: Tore Brunborg: saxophones, Audun Kleive: dr, Jan Gunnar Hoff: piano,keys, Bjørn Kjellemyr: bass, Børge P. Overleir: guitars.

MOVING
Curling legs, Norway
1995

Tracks: Moving; All the way; Northern lands part I; Northern lands part II; Simple life; The passage; Travel; At this time; Mountain high; Now and then
All composition by Jan Gunnar Hoff

Personnel: Knut Riisnaes: saxophones, Audun Kleive: dr, Jan Gunnar Hoff: piano,keys, Bjørn Kjellemyr: bass, Per Joergensen: vocals. SYKLUS
Odin Records, Norway
1993

Tracks: Lys; Brytning; Syklus; Happy days; New York City; Across the land; Refugee; Kreftene; The years
All composition by Jan Gunnar Hoff

Personnel: Knut Riisnaes: saxophones, Audun Kleive: dr, Jan Gunnar Hoff: piano,keys, Bjørn Kjellemyr: bass, Tor Yttredal: soprano saxophone, Trond Kopperud: drums and percussion, Celio de Carvalho: percussion

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Primary Instrument:
Piano

Willing to teach:
Advanced students only.

Credentials/Background:
Professor at University of Kristiansand and Tromsoe, Norway.

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