Knut Aalefjær

Knut Aalefjær
Born	(1974-12-21) December 21, 1974 Bærum, Norway
Occupation(s)	Jazz drummer, composer
Known for	Member of Helge Lien Trio, Geir Lysne Listening Ensemble, collaborations with Live Maria Roggen and Kristin Asbjørnsen

Knut Aalefjær (born 21 December 1974 in Bærum) is a Norwegian jazz drummer and composer who completed his education at the Norwegian Academy of Music. He is well-known for his significant involvement with ensembles such as the Helge Lien Trio, the Geir Lysne Listening Ensemble, as well as collaborations with vocalist Live Maria Roggen and the band led by Kristin Asbjørnsen, among others.

Career

During his studies at the Norwegian Academy of Music, Aalefjær co-established the group Moment's Notice alongside Lars Andreas Haug (tuba) and Vidar Saether (saxophone), which produced an album in 2003. He has also performed with the Musikkflekken Workshop Big Band and ImproVice Versa, contributing to recordings with Geir Lysne's Listening Ensemble. As a foundational member of pianist Helge Lien's Trio, featuring Frode Berg on bass, he has appeared on six albums. In 2001, Aalefjær took part in the project Great Curves, releasing Rotoscope together with Christine Sandtorv (vocals), Rune Brøndbo (keyboards), Lars Horntveth (saxophone), Anders Mjøs (keyboards), and Rob Waring (percussion).

Aalefjær holds a prominent position within Oslo’s jazz community. His collaborations include working with Elin Rosseland on the 2004 album Moment and performing pieces by Eyvind Skeie and Geir Lysne for the 2005 commemoration of Norway and Sweden's union dissolution, alongside Forsvarets musikk, Oslo Chorale Selskap, and Den norske kirke. Additionally, he appeared with Det Norske Blåseensemble at the 2004 Big Band Festival.

In 2005, he contributed to the studio album Blood Inside by the Norwegian band Ulver.

Beginning in 2010, Aalefjær became part of a trio featuring vocalists Ruth Wilhelmine Meyer and Elfi Sverdrup, along with Lars Andreas Haug on tuba; this ensemble later expanded into the quartet Akku 5, which released an album titled Akku 5 in 2011.

Discography

As a primary member

• 2002: Spiral Circle (DIW Japan), with Helge Lien Trio
• 2003: Asymmetrics (DIW Japan), with Helge Lien Trio
• 2003/2004: Moment's Notice (Mnemosyne Productions/Sonor Rec.) (Elektronika/Rock) (4 editions)
• 2005: Helge Lien Trio – Live (Curling Legs)
• 2006: To The Little Radio (DIW), with Helge Lien Trio
• 2008: My Letter to the World – Words By Emily Dickinson (Nordic), featuring Hanne Tveter
• 2009: The Night Shines Like The Day (EmArcy/Universal), with Kristin Asbjørnsen
• 2011: Min Song Og Hjarteskatt (Kirkelig Kulturverksted), alongside Beate S. Lech
• 2011: Akku 5 (NorCD), drummer in quartet with Ruth Wilhelmine Meyer
• 2013: I'll Meet You in the Morning (EmArcy/Universal), featuring Kristin Asbjørnsen

As a supporting musician

• 2001: Rotoscope – Great Curves (Jester Records), with Andreas Mjøs, also credited as composer
• 2002: Aurora Borealis – Nordic Lights (Suite For Jazz Orchestra) (ACT), with Geir Lysne
• 2002: Objects of Desire (Albedo), performed by Oslo Sinfonietta under Christian Eggen
• 2002: Iter.Viator. (Jester Records), with Star of Ash
• 2003: Korall (ACT), featuring Geir Lysne Listening Ensemble and guest Sondre Bratland
• 2003: Moment (NorCD), alongside Elin Rosseland Vuggi
• 2004: Lost in Reverie (Mnemosyne Productions), with Peccatum
• 2005: Blood Inside (Jester Records), by Ulver (Elektronica/Rock)
• 2006: Boahjenásti – The North Star (ACT), with Geir Lysne Listening Ensemble
• 2007: Circuit Songs (Jazzland Recordings), collaborating with Live Maria Roggen
• 2008: The Thread (Candlelight Records USA), featuring Starofash