Anders Aarum
Anders Aarum | |
|---|---|
| Born | December 17, 1974 Moss, Norway |
| Occupation(s) | Jazz pianist, composer, lecturer |
| Years active | 1990s–present |
| Known for | Norwegian jazz pianist and band leader of Anders Aarum Trio and member of Fossum-Aarum Quartet (FAQ) |
Anders Aarum (born 17 December 1974) is a distinguished Norwegian jazz pianist known for his extensive discography and international partnerships with musicians including Sonny Simmons, Ola Kvernberg, Tine Asmundsen, Sigurd Køhn, Børre Dalhaug, Nora Brockstedt, and Even Kruse Skatrud.
Biography
Aarum pursued his musical education at Agder Musikkonservatorium and later at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki. In 1998, he relocated to Oslo, where he became a notable figure in the local jazz community while finalizing his studies at Norges Musikkhøgskole. His graduation thesis focused on analyzing the distinctions between Nordic jazz and Afro-American jazz traditions.
He leads the Anders Aarum Trio, which launched their debut album Lucky strike in 2000, featuring bassist Mats Eilertsen and drummer Torstein Ellingsen. Their subsequent release, Absence in mind (2004), saw the addition of drummer Thomas Strønen. The Trio’s third record, First communion (2006), included contributions from Ole Morten Vågan on bass and Andreas Bye on drums.
Aarum is also a member of the Fossum-Aarum Quartet (FAQ), alongside brothers Håvard (saxophone, flute) and Jens Fossum (bass), with drummer Jarle Vespestad. FAQ’s first album, Frequently Asked Questions (2007), was nominated for the 2007 Spellemannprisen in the Jazz category. Additionally, he regularly performs as the pianist for the band Funky Butt.
His collaborative work extends to projects with Per Høglend, Randi Tytingvåg, Sølvi Hansen, Majken Christiansen, Jazzmob, among others. Aarum has been honored with the "No-fear Prize" by Oslo Jazzradio and holds a position as a lecturer specializing in accompaniment at Norges Musikkhøgskole.
Honors
- "No-fear" Award 2002 presented by Oslo Jazzradio
As band leader
With Anders Aarum Trio
- 2000: Lucky strike (Hot Club)
- 2004: Absence in Mind (Jazzaway)
- 2006: First Communion (Jazzaway)
- 2018: Shakin' Our Souls (Ozella)
With FAQ (Fossum-Aarum Quartet)
- 2007: Frequently Asked Questions (Schmell), recorded in 2004
Collaborations
With Funky Butt
- 2001: Whoopin' (Sonor)
- 2002: The Glove (Sonor)
- 2005: Big Mama (Schmell)
- 2007: Shakin' da butt (Schmell)
With Jazzmob
- 2001: Pathfinder
- 2006: Flashback live at Moldejazz
With The Swing Pack
- 2001: The Sinatra Songbook (Island)
- 2003: Urban Breeze (Tylden & Co)
With Sonny Simmons
- 2005: The Traveller (Jazzaway)
- 2006: I'll See You When I Get There (Jazzaway)
- 2007: Last Man Standing (Jazzaway)
With Hilde Louise Asbjørnsen
- 2005: Birdie Blues (Upnorth Discs)
- 2008: Sound Your Horn (Sweet Morning)
- 2010: Never Ever Going Back (Sweet Morning)
- 2011: Divin' at the Oceansound (Sweet Morning)
Additional projects
- 2001: Violin (Hot Club), featuring Ola Kvernberg
- 2001: Song for My Father (Hot Club), with Majken Christiansen
- 2003: aLive (Hazel Jazz), alongside Tine Asmundsen – recorded in 2002
- 2003: Reporter (Hot Club), live recording with Majken Christiansen at Herr Nilsen Jazzclub
- 2004: Bigbandblast! (Real), within Børre Dalhaug's Bigbandblast
- 2005: This Place (Køhn), part of Sigurd Køhn Quartet
- 2005: Eveneven (Eveneven), from Even Kruse Skatrud's Eveneven Big Band
- 2005: Christmas Songs (Køhn), collaborating with Nora Brockstedt
- 2006: Midnight (EMI), featuring Bertine Zetlitz
- 2006: Let Go (Mudi), with Randi Tytingsvåg
- 2006: Edvard Grieg in Jazz mood (Universal), performed with Kjell Karlsen Big Band
- 2008: My Letter to the World (Nordic), with Hanne Tveter – inspired by Emily Dickinson’s poetry
- 2009: Transformation to Paradise (Jazzaway), within Element – recorded in 2002
- 2009: Stompin' Feet (Sweet Morning), featuring Julie Dahle Aagård
- 2009: Warrior of Light (EmArcy), alongside Christina Bjordal
- 2010: Bad Dreams And Good Nightmares (Sweet Morning), with Guro von Germeten
See also
External links
- 20th-century Norwegian pianists
- 21st-century Norwegian pianists
- Norwegian jazz pianists
- Norwegian jazz composers
- Norwegian male jazz composers
- 1974 births
- Living people
- Musicians from Moss, Norway
- Hot Club Records artists
- Jazzaway Records artists
- 20th-century Norwegian male musicians
- 21st-century Norwegian male musicians
- Funky Butt (band) members
- Norwegian male jazz pianists