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Tor E Bekken

Pianist Tor E 'Dr' Bekken is a musician who is interested in the whole history of jazz. A lifelong dedication to the art of traditional blues driven piano has given him a mastery of that idiom which few players can grasp, much less deliver. He has a monster left hand which is the mandatory driving force for this type of piano playing, and his right hand soloing and clean technical dexterity present the whole package. At the same time, Bekken works within the field of modern, free improvisation, citing pianists like Don Pullen, Bobby Few and Charles Gayle as central sources of inspiration. Tor E Bekken was born in Drammen, Norway.He has played jazz and blues piano since childhood, and has absorbed all the nuances in the process. He completed a Master's degree in music in 1996, with a thesis on James Booker (shows in his approach) and New Orleans piano traditions.

Bekken has worked for US artists such as Eddie Bo, Marva Wright, Benny Turner, Big Al Carson,etc. He has also performed with artists such as blues harmonica player James Harman, Nick Gravenites and Louisiana Red. He is currently working mainly as a solo performer on the club and festival scene in Norway and Europe. He occasionally performs with the DR BEKKEN TRIO, featuring drummer Dag Kittilsen and bassist Mattis Kleppen. In addition, Bekken is currently Associate Professor of Music at NTNU - The Norwegian University of Science & Technology in Trondheim, Norway. Bekken has released "The Naked Blues"(1995) "Train - Stone Blues Piano, Vol.1"(2001) "Got Milk If You Want It"(2003)"The Ticklers" (2004)"Flood Street"(2006)"Hardcore Piano"(2008), "Songs From a Forest (2009) and the solo ukulele/vocal album "JazzBluesRagtimeVaudeville" (2011). Recent releases are 'Extended Blues' (2012), 'Grand Piano' and 'Slaveriet' (2013) and 'Crescent City Impressions - Solo Piano' (2014). Bekken is also an accomplished pianist for silent movies, improvising on-the-spot scores for films by Buster Keaton as well as German expressionist epics.

SONGS FROM A FOREST (2009) and SLAVERIET (2013) are duets with harmonica wizard Richard Gjems, who plays all kinds of harmonicas - from dime store junk harps to silver-plated chromatic ones. Stylistically, the recordings move back and forth between blues, jazz and ancient Norwegian folk music. In addition to various non-piano projects, Bekken's solo piano albums GRAND PIANO (2013), SILVER SONGS (2015), LUXURY (2015), SANCTUARY (2016) and UPRIGHT PIANO - LIVE AT BAR MOSKUS (2017) continue his exploration into older jazz and blues as well as free form improvisation. The 2018 album PNO (Seven Piano Improvisations) consists of free form improv exclusively, showcasing a large expressive range and total command of the instrument. This interest in free form piano improvisation continued on the albums ØRA I and ØRA II, before he released a rare example of his acoustic guitar music, HELP US IN THE HOUR OF NEED, late in 2019.

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4
Album Review

Dr Bekken Trio: In Fonk We Trust

Read "In Fonk We Trust" reviewed by Jim Worsley


With some fresh boogie-woogie powder, just the right amount of handpicked blues, a bit of jazz seasoning, and honky-tonk leaves, all rolled together in the same Zig-Zag, the Dr. Bekken Trio smoked the joint. The crowd at the Lillehammer Mikrobyggeri, in the Olympic city of Lillehammer, Norway, were abuzz the minute the band took the stage. A strong hit of boogie-woogie laced the room with an energized romp on the Tor E Bekken original composition “St. Pete." Bassist Mattis Kleppen ...

2
Album Review

Dr Bekken: Blues

Read "Blues" reviewed by Jim Worsley


Tor E Bekken is also known in the music world as Dr Bekken. As well, he is known as a distinctive pianist who unearths the blues like a bloodhound on a case. Over the past several years, he has unrooted blues from their deep origins and, consequently, replanted them in fertile ground with even more room to grow and blossom. Studio albums, live recordings, original compositions, and fresh looks at vintage harvests have all grown to maturity in Bekken's fruitful ...

3
Album Review

Tor Einar Bekken: Help Us In The Hour of Need

Read "Help Us In The Hour of Need" reviewed by Jim Worsley


Every once in a while, an artist throws a curveball. Blues and jazz pianist Tor E Bekken, renowned for his historical knowledge and authenticity, also has nothing short of a monster left hand. The talented Norwegian has released over a dozen records, including his dynamic upright piano assault Live at Bar Moskus (Blue Mood Records/Grappa, 2017) and the high-spirited Hardcore Piano (Blue Mood Records/Grappa, 2008). Yet it came as a surprise to hear that Bekken's latest release is ...

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Album Review

Bekken and Gjems: Spell

Read "Spell" reviewed by Jim Worsley


Dr. Bekken's last record, Live At Bar Moskus (Blue Mood, 2017), was nominated for a Norwegian Grammy (the Spellemannprisen). That was a hard-driving solo, boogie-woogie upright piano performance. For Spell, the good doctor writes a new prescription for traditional Norwegian folk infused with New Orleans style jazz. Harmonicist Richard Gjems is co-featured. Bekken and Gjems have been collaborating for over ten years now. Gjems has also been nominated for a Spellemannprisen in the past. On this outing he ...

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Album Review

Dr Bekken: Upright Piano - Live At Bar Moskus

Read "Upright Piano - Live At Bar Moskus" reviewed by Jim Worsley


There is a monster on the loose! Don't be alarmed though. It is the monster left hand of Norwegian pianist Dr. Bekken. Tor E Bekken has several jazz and blues recordings to his name and has taken the show on the road. Live at Bar Moskus is a solo upright piano performance that demonstrates power, finesse, stylistic interpretations, and a grand knowledge of the instrument. A musical descendant of Jelly Roll Morton, Bekken continues his exploration ...

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Take Five With...

Take Five With Tor E Bekken

Read "Take Five With Tor E Bekken" reviewed by AAJ Staff


Meet Tor E Bekken:Born 1964 in Norway. Played piano since childhood. Professional musician since the late 1980s. Works with blues-based material, as well as free form solo piano improvisation and Norwegian folk music. Played with New Orleans artists such as Marva Wright, Benny Turner, Big Al Carson and the late Eddie Bo. Lives in Trondheim, Norway. Has released seven CDs; the latest, Songs from a Forest, is a duet with harmonica player Richard Gjems.

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"...a monster pianist" (Blues Revue, USA)
Primary Instrument

Piano

Location

Trondheim

Willing to teach

Intermediate to advanced

Credentials/Background

Since 2015, Bekken is Associate Professor of Music at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in Trondheim, Norway.

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Blues

Blue Mood Records/Grappa
2020

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In Fonk We Trust

Blue Mood Records/Grappa
2020

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Spell

Blue Moon Grappa
2018

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Upright Piano - Live...

Blue Mood Records/Grappa
2017

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Videos

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