Primary Instrument: Saxophone
In April 2011 Marius Neset released Golden Xplosion, an album that led to the saxophonist and composer becoming one of the most talked about newcomers on the European jazz scene in recent years. At just 25 years old, he was described by Terje Mosnes in Norway’s Dagbladet as “the most talented Norwegian saxophonist since Jan Garbarek in the 1960s”, but it is the maturity in both his writing and playing, combined with the extraordinary energy and commitment he puts into every performance which really impresses.
Released on the British label Edition Records, and featuring a stellar lineup of Django Bates (keyboards), Jasper Høiby (bass) and Anton Eger (drums), Golden Xplosion won 5-star reviews from the Guardian, Telegraph and Irish Times in addition to rave reviews in Danish Magazine, Jazz Special and Norway’s Jazznytt, praising both the virtuosity and musicianship of the compositions and performance.
Born in Bergen, Norway, Neset moved to Copenhagen in 2003 to study at the Rhythmic Music Conservatory where he met British musician Django Bates, who became a hugely important figure in the early part of Neset’s career. Bates was quick to notice his talent, asking him to join his stoRMChaser big band and, later on, his small group Human Chain. Neset’s main project since 2005 has been JazzKamikaze. With its eclectic mix of jazz, rock, electronica and classical music, the group has had great international success playing concerts in Europe, Asia, North and South America and Africa.
In July 2011, Neset won the prestigious JazZtipendiat Prize, awarded to a musician of outstanding capabilities. This substantial monetary award will be used to create new music with the Trondheim Jazz Orchestra to be performed at Molde Jazz Festival in 2012.
Throughout 2011 Neset toured extensively throughout Europe, including performances at Molde, Copenhagen, Cork and Manchester Jazz Festivals as well as a hugely successful 8-date UK tour. His debut London concert at Pizza Express Jazz Club, Soho in September, was recorded for national broadcast on BBC Radio 3, and saw every major UK jazz journalist attend to see him perform to a sell-out crowd.
With a nomination for best newcomer at the Danish Music Awards in November, a run of 30 European performance dates and the German release of Golden Xplosion planned for early 2012, in less than a year Marius Neset has developed into one of the leading new names in European Jazz.
“Mark the name. At 25, this Norwegian saxophonist will surely be a major figure on the European jazz scene if this astonishing – and astonishingly personal – album is any indication”. Ray Comiskey – (Irish Times*****)
“Marius Neset combines Brecker’s power and Jan Garbarek’s tonal delicacy, but has a vision that makes all 11 originals on this sensational album feel indispensable, and indispensably connected to each other. Neset is on his way to being one of the biggest new draws on the circuit” – John Fordham (Guardian*****)
