Espen Berg

Espen Berg, born June 30th 1983 in Hamar, is a Norwegian pianist, arranger and composer. He released his first solo album “Noctilucent” (AKLANG306) in 2012, which was awarded by All About Jazz for being one of the top ten albums of 2012. The sequel, “Acres of Blue” (AKLANG308), was released in 2014.

Espen attained a master's degreen in Trondheim and graduated in 2008. He has travelled around the world with his trio Listen 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 Trondheim Jazz Orchestra and Marius Neset, Per Jørgensen, Susanne Lundeng, Jovan Pavlovic, Amer Dahbar, Maher Mahmoud, Sissel Kyrkjebø, Darryl Tookes, among others. Espen has also written music for the grammy nominated Trondheim Soloists and Cikada String Quartet.

In 2007 he was awarded with the prize for being the best soloist at Hoeilaart International Jazz Contest in Belgium, and he was nominated for the annual Montreux Solo Jazz Piano Competition in 2012 and 2013. Espen has been lecturing at the university in Trondheim and Trøndertun college since 2005.

Album Reviews

Bølge by Gareth Thompson
Acres of Blue by Eyal Hareuveni
Noctilucent by Eyal Hareuveni

October 20, 2009

New Album by Norwegian Jazz Trio Listen

From the release of “Acres of Blue”:

Evocative, nuanced stories of dreamy, almost super natural landscapes. Another great work of a true master of the piano. - Eyal Hareuveni, All About Jazz, 03.03.14

The confirmation of Espen Berg’s belonging to the group of top pianists in his generation, within the division of modern jazz- and classical informed music. - Terje Mosnes, Dagbladet, 05.02.14.

With his debut album “Noctilucent” in 2012, Espen Berg appeared as a solo pianist of high rank. With “Acres of Blue” he’s defending his place among the great masters. - Roald Helgheim, Dagsavisen, 01.02.14

From the release of “Noctilucent”:

It is almost impossible to translate into words the beauty and the excitement that Noctilucent brings