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Jon Balke
Jon Balke (1955) was born in Furnes, Norway, and has been a professional musician since 1974. Balke has no formal education in music or composition and has mainly worked within the realm of improvised music. His main instrument has been the piano and this has lead, in time, to the use of electronic keyboards.
He began composing for larger ensembles in 1982, first and foremost for Oslo 13, a 'small' big band, and has since composed works for the theatre and various chamber ensembles, in addition to big bands and jazz ensembles.
Balke's activities in music have always been two-fold. On the one hand, there is a search for maximum spontaneity through the establishing of orchestras which are increasingly based on pure improvisation; a development that has culminated in his very successful trio with Audun Kleive and Per Jørgensen (keys, percussion, and trumpet). On the other hand, there is a search for thoroughly composed chamber music, with an orchestral expression that goes beyond traditional forms.
Source: Music Information Center Norway
CD/LP/Track Review
- Nahnou Houm by Mark Sullivan
In Pictures
CD/LP/Track Review
- Warp by Neri Pollastri
- Warp by Karl Ackermann
- Magnetic Works 1993-2001 by AAJ Italy Staff
Extended Analysis
CD/LP/Track Review
- Diverted Travels by John Kelman
- Say And Play by John Kelman
- Say and Play by AAJ Italy Staff
Extended Analysis
CD/LP/Track Review
- Siwan by John Kelman
- Siwan by C. Michael Bailey
- Book of Velocities by Chris May
- Book Of Velocities by Budd Kopman
- Book of Velocities by John Kelman
- Book of Velocities by AAJ Italy Staff
- Tuki by AAJ Italy Staff
- Statements by Budd Kopman
30 Photos Slideshow
Discography
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