Jan Garbarek
Encyclopedia
Jan Garbarek is a Norwegian
tenor and soprano saxophonist
, active in the jazz
, classical, and world music
genres. Garbarek was born in Mysen
, Norway
, the only child of a former Polish prisoner of war Czesław Garbarek and a Norwegian farmer's daughter. Effectively stateless until the age of seven (there was no automatic grant of citizenship in Norway at that time) Garbarek grew up in Oslo. At 21, he married Vigdis. His daughter Anja Garbarek
is also a musician.
). If he had initially appeared as a devotee of Albert Ayler
and Peter Brötzmann
, by 1973 he had turned his back on the harsh dissonances of avant-garde jazz
, retaining only his tone from his previous approach.
Garbarek gained wider recognition through his work with pianist Keith Jarrett
's European Quartet which released the albums Belonging
(1974), My Song (1977) and the live recordings Personal Mountains
(1979), and Nude Ants
(1979). He was also a featured soloist on Jarrett's orchestral works Luminessence
(1974) and Arbour Zena
(1975)
As a composer, Garbarek tends to draw heavily from Scandinavia
n folk melodies, a legacy of his Ayler influence. He is also a pioneer of ambient jazz composition, most notably on his 1976 album Dis
a collaboration with guitarist Ralph Towner
that featured the distinctive sound of a wind harp
on several tracks. This textural approach, which rejects traditional notions of thematic improvisation (best exemplified by Sonny Rollins
) in favour of a style described by critics Richard Cook and Brian Morton as "sculptural in its impact", has been critically divisive. Garbarek's more meandering recordings are often labeled as New Age music
, a style generally scorned by more orthodox jazz musicians and listeners, or spiritual ancestors thereof. Other experiments have included setting a collection of poems of Olav H. Hauge
to music, with a single saxophone complementing a full mixed choir; this has led to notable performances with Grex Vocalis
, but not yet to recordings. In the 1980s, Garbarek's music began to incorporate synthesizer
s and elements of world music
.
He has collaborated with Indian and Pakistani musicians such as Trilok Gurtu, Zakir Hussain
, Hariprasad Chaurasia
, and Ustad Fateh Ali Khan.
In 1994, during heightened popularity of Gregorian chant
, his album Officium
, a collaboration with early music
vocal performers the Hilliard Ensemble
, became one of ECM's biggest-selling albums of all time, reaching the pop charts in several European countries and was followed by a sequel, Mnemosyne, in 1999. In 2005, his album In Praise of Dreams
was nominated for a Grammy
. Garbarek's first live album Dresden
was released in 2009.
In 1999, Garbarek was appointed a Knight 1st Class of the Order of St. Olav and in 2004 he was awarded the Norwegian Arts Council award.
, as well as for several European films, including French and Norwegian films. In addition, selections from Dis have been used as incidental music in several feature films and documentaries. His composition "Rites" was used in the American film, The Insider
. Garbarek also contributed to the soundtrack for the Japanese anime series Cowboy Bebop
, performing the saxophone solo on the track 'Space Lion'.
With David Darling
With Paul Giger
With Egberto Gismonti
With Trilok Gurtu
With Zakir Hussain
With Keith Jarrett
With Manu Katché
With Eleni Karaindrou
With Kim Kashkashian
With Karin Krog
With Art Lande
With Marilyn Mazur
With Gary Peacock
With George Russell
With Terje Rypdal
With L. Shankar
With the Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra
With Ralph Towner
With Miroslav Vitous
With Eberhard Weber
With Kenny Wheeler
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
tenor and soprano saxophonist
Saxophone
The saxophone is a conical-bore transposing musical instrument that is a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to that of the clarinet. The saxophone was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax in 1846...
, active in the jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
, classical, and world music
World music
World music is a term with widely varying definitions, often encompassing music which is primarily identified as another genre. This is evidenced by world music definitions such as "all of the music in the world" or "somebody else's local music"...
genres. Garbarek was born in Mysen
Mysen
Mysen is the administrative center of the municipality of Eidsberg in the county of Østfold in Norway.Between 1920 and 1961, it was a separate municipality. Mysen became an independent municipality on 1 July 1920 when it was spun off from Eidsberg. On 1 January 1961 Mysen was merged again with...
, Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
, the only child of a former Polish prisoner of war Czesław Garbarek and a Norwegian farmer's daughter. Effectively stateless until the age of seven (there was no automatic grant of citizenship in Norway at that time) Garbarek grew up in Oslo. At 21, he married Vigdis. His daughter Anja Garbarek
Anja Garbarek
Anja Garbarek is a Norwegian singer-songwriter of mixed Norwegian and Polish descent. She is the daughter of the Norwegian jazz saxophonist Jan Garbarek and grew up around Oslo. She received the Spellemannsprisen in 2001 for her album Smiling & Waving in the open class category. She is married to...
is also a musician.
Biography
Garbarek's sound is one of the hallmarks of the ECM Records label, which has released virtually all of his recordings. His style incorporates a sharp-edged tone, long, keening, sustained notes, and generous use of silence. He began his recording career in the late 1960s, notably featuring on recordings by the American jazz composer George Russell (such as Othello Ballet Suite and Electronic Sonata for Souls Loved by NatureElectronic Sonata for Souls Loved by Nature
Electronic Sonata for Souls Loved by Nature is a work by jazz arranger George Russell originally written in 1968 and first recorded in concert in Norway on April 28, 1969 and released on the Flying Dutchman label...
). If he had initially appeared as a devotee of Albert Ayler
Albert Ayler
Albert Ayler was an American avant-garde jazz saxophonist, singer and composer.Ayler was among the most primal of the free jazz musicians of the 1960s; critic John Litweiler wrote that "never before or since has there been such naked aggression in jazz" He possessed a deep blistering tone—achieved...
and Peter Brötzmann
Peter Brötzmann
Peter Brötzmann is a German artist and free jazz saxophonist and clarinetist.Brötzmann is among the most important European free jazz musicians. His rough, lyrical timbre is easily recognized on his many recordings.-Early life:...
, by 1973 he had turned his back on the harsh dissonances of avant-garde jazz
Avant-garde jazz
Avant-garde jazz is a style of music and improvisation that combines avant-garde art music and composition with jazz. Avant-jazz often sounds very similar to free jazz, but differs in that, despite its distinct departure from traditional harmony, it has a predetermined structure over which ...
, retaining only his tone from his previous approach.
Garbarek gained wider recognition through his work with pianist Keith Jarrett
Keith Jarrett
Keith Jarrett is an American pianist and composer who performs both jazz and classical music.Jarrett started his career with Art Blakey, moving on to play with Charles Lloyd and Miles Davis. Since the early 1970s he has enjoyed a great deal of success in jazz, jazz fusion, and classical music; as...
's European Quartet which released the albums Belonging
Belonging (album)
Belonging is an album by American pianist Keith Jarrett which was released on the ECM label in 1974. It is the first album by Jarrett's 'European Quartet' featuring Jan Garbarek, Palle Danielsson and Jon Christensen...
(1974), My Song (1977) and the live recordings Personal Mountains
Personal Mountains
Personal Mountains is a live album by American pianist Keith Jarrett which was released on the ECM label in 1989. It was recorded at a live performance by Jarrett's 'European Quartet', featuring Jan Garbarek, Palle Danielsson and Jon Christensen, in Tokyo in April 1979.-Reception:The Allmusic...
(1979), and Nude Ants
Nude Ants
Nude Ants is a live album by American pianist Keith Jarrett which was released on the ECM label in 1979. It was recorded at a live performance by Jarrett's 'European Quartet', featuring Jan Garbarek, Palle Danielsson and Jon Christensen, at the Village Vanguard in New York City in May 1979...
(1979). He was also a featured soloist on Jarrett's orchestral works Luminessence
Luminessence (album)
Luminessence is an album composed by American pianist Keith Jarrett featuring saxophonist Jan Garbarek and the Südfunk-Sinfonieorchester conducted by Mladen Gutesha which was released on the ECM label in 1975.. Jarrett does not perform on this album....
(1974) and Arbour Zena
Arbour Zena
Arbour Zena is an album composed by American pianist Keith Jarrett featuring saxophonist Jan Garbarek, bassist Charlie Haden and the Stuttgart Radio Symphony Orchestra conducted by Mladen Gutesha which was released on the ECM label in 1975..-Reception:...
(1975)
As a composer, Garbarek tends to draw heavily from Scandinavia
Scandinavia
Scandinavia is a cultural, historical and ethno-linguistic region in northern Europe that includes the three kingdoms of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, characterized by their common ethno-cultural heritage and language. Modern Norway and Sweden proper are situated on the Scandinavian Peninsula,...
n folk melodies, a legacy of his Ayler influence. He is also a pioneer of ambient jazz composition, most notably on his 1976 album Dis
Dis (album)
Dis is an album by Norwegian jazz composer and saxophonist Jan Garbarek recorded in 1976 and released on the ECM label in 1977.-Reception:The Penguin Guide to Jazz selected this album as part of its suggested Core Collection....
a collaboration with guitarist Ralph Towner
Ralph Towner
Ralph Towner is an American multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger and bandleader. He plays the twelve-string guitar, classical guitar, piano, synthesizer, percussion and trumpet.-Biography:...
that featured the distinctive sound of a wind harp
Aeolian harp
An aeolian harp is a musical instrument that is "played" by the wind. It is named for Aeolus, the ancient Greek god of the wind. The traditional aeolian harp is essentially a wooden box including a sounding board, with strings stretched lengthwise across two bridges...
on several tracks. This textural approach, which rejects traditional notions of thematic improvisation (best exemplified by Sonny Rollins
Sonny Rollins
Theodore Walter "Sonny" Rollins is a Grammy-winning American jazz tenor saxophonist. Rollins is widely recognized as one of the most important and influential jazz musicians. A number of his compositions, including "St...
) in favour of a style described by critics Richard Cook and Brian Morton as "sculptural in its impact", has been critically divisive. Garbarek's more meandering recordings are often labeled as New Age music
New Age music
New Age music is music of various styles intended to create artistic inspiration, relaxation, and optimism. It is used by listeners for yoga, massage, meditation, and reading as a method of stress management or to create a peaceful atmosphere in their home or other environments, and is often...
, a style generally scorned by more orthodox jazz musicians and listeners, or spiritual ancestors thereof. Other experiments have included setting a collection of poems of Olav H. Hauge
Olav H. Hauge
Olav Håkonson Hauge was a Norwegian poet. He was born in Ulvik and lived his whole life there, working as a gardener in his own orchard....
to music, with a single saxophone complementing a full mixed choir; this has led to notable performances with Grex Vocalis
Grex Vocalis
Grex Vocalis is a Norwegian chamber choir, formed in 1971 by Carl Høgset, who remains its conductor. The repertoire spans from the renaissance to music by contemporary composers...
, but not yet to recordings. In the 1980s, Garbarek's music began to incorporate synthesizer
Synthesizer
A synthesizer is an electronic instrument capable of producing sounds by generating electrical signals of different frequencies. These electrical signals are played through a loudspeaker or set of headphones...
s and elements of world music
World music
World music is a term with widely varying definitions, often encompassing music which is primarily identified as another genre. This is evidenced by world music definitions such as "all of the music in the world" or "somebody else's local music"...
.
He has collaborated with Indian and Pakistani musicians such as Trilok Gurtu, Zakir Hussain
Zakir Hussain
Zakir Hussain may refer to:* Zakir Hussain , classical tabla player* Zakir Hussain , president of India* Zakir Hussain , Bollywood actor whose films include Sarkar and Johnny Gaddaar...
, Hariprasad Chaurasia
Hariprasad Chaurasia
Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia is an Indian classical instrumentalist. He is a player of the bansuri, the North Indian bamboo flute. Chaurasia is a classicist who has made a conscious effort to reach out and expand the audience for classical music.-Early life:Hariprasad Chaurasia was born in...
, and Ustad Fateh Ali Khan.
In 1994, during heightened popularity of Gregorian chant
Gregorian chant
Gregorian chant is the central tradition of Western plainchant, a form of monophonic liturgical music within Western Christianity that accompanied the celebration of Mass and other ritual services...
, his album Officium
Officium (album)
Officium is an album by Norwegian saxophonist Jan Garbarek and early music vocal group, The Hilliard Ensemble, that was released in 1994....
, a collaboration with early music
Early music
Early music is generally understood as comprising all music from the earliest times up to the Renaissance. However, today this term has come to include "any music for which a historically appropriate style of performance must be reconstructed on the basis of surviving scores, treatises,...
vocal performers the Hilliard Ensemble
Hilliard Ensemble
The Hilliard Ensemble is a British male vocal quartet originally devoted to the performance of early music. Founded in 1974, the group is named after the Elizabethan miniaturist painter Nicholas Hilliard....
, became one of ECM's biggest-selling albums of all time, reaching the pop charts in several European countries and was followed by a sequel, Mnemosyne, in 1999. In 2005, his album In Praise of Dreams
In Praise of Dreams
In Praise of Dreams is a jazz album by Jan Garbarek released in 2004 on ECM. In 2005, it was nominated for the Grammy for "Best Contemporary Jazz Album"...
was nominated for a Grammy
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
. Garbarek's first live album Dresden
Dresden (album)
Dresden is a double-disc live album by Norwegian saxophonist Jan Garbarek. It was released on the ECM label and was his first live release for the label since he first recorded for them almost forty years earlier.- Personnel :...
was released in 2009.
In 1999, Garbarek was appointed a Knight 1st Class of the Order of St. Olav and in 2004 he was awarded the Norwegian Arts Council award.
Film music
Garbarek has composed music for the Israeli film, KippurKippur
Kippur is a 2000 Israeli drama war film directed by Amos Gitai. The storyline was conceived from a screenplay written by Gitai and Marie-Jose Sanselme; based on Gitai's own experiences as a member of a helicopter rescue crew during the 1973 Yom Kippur War...
, as well as for several European films, including French and Norwegian films. In addition, selections from Dis have been used as incidental music in several feature films and documentaries. His composition "Rites" was used in the American film, The Insider
The Insider (film)
The Insider is a 1999 film based on the true story of a 60 Minutes television series segment, as seen through the eyes of a real tobacco executive, Jeffrey Wigand. The 60 Minutes story originally aired in November 1995 in an altered form because of objections by CBS’ then-owner, Laurence Tisch, who...
. Garbarek also contributed to the soundtrack for the Japanese anime series Cowboy Bebop
Cowboy Bebop
is a critically acclaimed and award-winning 1998 Japanese anime series directed by Shinichirō Watanabe, written by Keiko Nobumoto, and produced by Sunrise. Its 26 episodes comprise a complete storyline: set in 2071, the series follows the adventures, misadventures and tragedies of five bounty...
, performing the saxophone solo on the track 'Space Lion'.
As leader
- Esoteric CircleEsoteric CircleEsoteric Circle is the debut album by Norwegian saxophonist Jan Garbarek, originally released under the band name "The Esoteric Circle" on Bob Thiele's Flying Dutchman label but re-issued under his name on the Freedom imprint, performed by Garbarek with Terje Rypdal, Arild Andersen and Jon...
(Flying Dutchman, 1969) - Afric PepperbirdAfric PepperbirdAfric Pepperbird is the second album by Norwegian saxophonist Jan Garbarek and his first released on the ECM label performed by Garbarek's quartet featuring Terje Rypdal, Arild Andersen and Jon Christensen...
(ECM, 1970) - SartSart (album)Sart is the third album by Norwegian saxophonist Jan Garbarek, his second released on the ECM label, and is performed by Garbarek's quintet featuring Bobo Stenson, Terje Rypdal, Arild Andersen and Jon Christensen...
(ECM, 1971) with Terje RypdalTerje RypdalTerje Rypdal is a Norwegian guitarist and composer. Most of his music has been released on albums of the German record label ECM. Rypdal has collaborated both as a guitarist and as a composer with other ECM artists such as Ketil Bjørnstad and David Darling... - TriptykonTriptykon (album)Triptykon is the fourth album by Norwegian saxophonist Jan Garbarek, his third release on the ECM label, and is performed by Garbarek with Arild Andersen and Edward Vesala...
(ECM, 1972) - Witchi-Tai-ToWitchi-Tai-ToWitchi-Tai-To is an album by the Jan Garbarek-Bobo Stenson Quartet released on the ECM label and performed by Garbarek, Stenson, Palle Danielsson, and Jon Christensen...
(ECM, 1973) with Bobo StensonBobo StensonBo Gustav Stenson is a Swedish jazz pianist. Stenson was noted as early as 1963, when he stepped up from the local scene in Västerås to start playing frequently in Stockholm, where he accompanied a long line of visiting American players including Sonny Rollins, Stan Getz and Gary Burton... - DansereDansereDansere is an album by Jan Garbarek. The album was recorded in November 1975, and features the Bobo Stenson Quartet.- Personnel :#Jan Garbarek - Saxophones#Bobo Stenson - Piano#Palle Danielsson - Bass#Jon Christensen - Drums...
(ECM, 1975) with Bobo Stenson - DisDis (album)Dis is an album by Norwegian jazz composer and saxophonist Jan Garbarek recorded in 1976 and released on the ECM label in 1977.-Reception:The Penguin Guide to Jazz selected this album as part of its suggested Core Collection....
(ECM, 1976) with Ralph TownerRalph TownerRalph Towner is an American multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger and bandleader. He plays the twelve-string guitar, classical guitar, piano, synthesizer, percussion and trumpet.-Biography:...
- PlacesPlaces (Jan Garbarek album)Places is an album by the Norwegian saxophonist Jan Garbarek released on the ECM label and performed by Garbarek, John Taylor, Bill Connors, and Jack DeJohnette.-Reception:...
(ECM, 1977) - Photo with Blue Sky, White Cloud, Wires, Windows and a Red RoofPhoto with Blue Sky, White Cloud, Wires, Windows and a Red RoofPhoto with Blue Sky, White Cloud, Wires, Windows and a Red Roof is an album by Norwegian saxophonist Jan Garbarek, released in 1979 on the ECM label and performed by Garbarek, John Taylor, Bill Connors, Eberhard Weber and Jon Christensen.-Reception:...
(ECM, 1978) with Bill ConnorsBill ConnorsBill Connors is a jazz musician notable for being a legato technique master, adept at both the acoustic and electric guitar, and successfully played jazz-rock, free and fusion material in the '70s and '80s. His best early solos were in the jazz-rock genre, where his use of distortion and... - AftenlandAftenlandAftenland is an album by Norwegian jazz composer and saxophonist Jan Garbarek and organist Kjell Johnsen recorded in 1979 and released on the ECM label in 1980.-Reception:The Allmusic review awarded the album 2 stars....
(ECM, 1979) with Kjell Johnsen - EventyrEventyrEventyr is an album by Norwegian jazz composer and saxophonist Jan Garbarek, guitarist John Abercrombie and percussionist Naná Vasconcelos recorded in 1980 and released on the ECM label in 1981.-Reception:The Allmusic review awarded the album 2½ stars....
(ECM, 1980) with John AbercrombieJohn Abercrombie (guitarist)John Abercrombie is an American jazz guitarist, whose work often explores jazz fusion and post bop. Abercrombie has played with Billy Cobham, Jack DeJohnette, Michael Brecker and Randy Brecker...
and Naná VasconcelosNaná VasconcelosNaná Vasconcelos is a Brazilian Latin jazz percussionist, vocalist and berimbau player, most notable for his works with Pat Metheny, Don Cherry, Egberto Gismonti, and Gato Barbieri.... - Paths, PrintsPaths, PrintsPaths, Prints is an album by Norwegian jazz composer and saxophonist Jan Garbarek recorded in 1980 and released on the ECM label in 1981.-Reception:...
(ECM, 1981) with Bill FrisellBill FrisellWilliam Richard "Bill" Frisell is an American guitarist and composer.One of the leading guitarists in jazz since the late 1980s, Frisell's eclectic music touches on progressive folk, classical music, country music, noise and more... - WayfarerWayfarer (album)Wayfarer is an album by the Jan Garbarek Group, featuring the Norwegian saxophonist Garbarek with Bill Frisell, Eberhard Weber and Michael Di Pasqua...
(ECM, 1983) with Bill FrisellBill FrisellWilliam Richard "Bill" Frisell is an American guitarist and composer.One of the leading guitarists in jazz since the late 1980s, Frisell's eclectic music touches on progressive folk, classical music, country music, noise and more...
and Eberhard WeberEberhard WeberEberhard Weber is a German double bassist and composer. As a bass player, Weber is known for his highly distinctive tone and phrasing... - It's OK to Listen to the Gray VoiceIt's OK to Listen to the Gray VoiceIt's OK to Listen to the Gray Voice is an album by the Norwegian saxophonist Jan Garbarek released on the ECM label and performed by Garbarek, David Torn, Eberhard Weber and Michael Di Pasqua.-Track listing:# "White Noise of Forgetfulness - 8:22...
(ECM, 1985) with David TornDavid TornDavid Torn is an American composer and guitarist.He is known for the organic blending/manipulation of electronic and acoustic instruments and performance techniques that have an atmospheric or textural quality and effect, along with a particular harmonic richness... - All Those Born With WingsAll Those Born with WingsAll Those Born With Wings is a solo album by Norwegian saxophonist Jan Garbarek, released on the ECM label in 1987.On this recording he can be heard playing all the instruments, including keyboards, percussion, guitar and voice in addition to multitracked saxophone. The Allmusic review by Mark W. B...
(ECM, 1987) - Legend of the Seven DreamsLegend of the Seven DreamsLegend of the Seven Dreams is an album by Norwegian saxophonist Jan Garbarek, featuring Rainer Brüninghaus, Eberhard Weber and Naná Vasconcelos, released on the ECM label in 1988.-Reception:The Allmusic review by Mark W. B...
(ECM, 1988) with Rainer BrüninghausRainer BrüninghausRainer Brüninghaus is a German jazz pianist and composer.Born in Bad Pyrmont, Germany, Brüninghaus began in the jazz rock group Eiliff. In 1973 he joined the band of German jazz guitarist Volker Kriegel. In 1975 with bassist Eberhard Weber and Charlie Mariano he formed the band Colours...
- Rosensfole (1989) with Agnes Buen GarnåsAgnes Buen GarnåsAgnes Buen Garnås is a Norwegian folk singer from the county of Telemark. She comes from a famous musical family from the town of Jondalen, and is known particularly for her singing of ancient unaccompanied Norwegian ballads, as well as her updated arrangements of these songs in collaboration with...
- I Took Up the RunesI Took Up the RunesI Took Up the Runes is an album by Norwegian saxophonist Jan Garbarek released on the ECM label and performed by Garbarek, Rainer Brüninghaus, Eberhard Weber Nana Vasconcelos, Manu Katché, and Bugge Wesseltoft with Ingor Ánte Áilo Gaup contributing vocals....
(ECM, 1990) - Ragas and SagasRagas and SagasRagas and Sagas is an album by Norwegian saxophonist Jan Garbarek, featuring Ustad Fateh Ali Khan and musicians from Pakistan released on the ECM label in 1992.-Reception:The Allmusic review by Mark W. B...
(ECM, 1990 [1992]) with Fateh Ali KhanUstad Bade Fateh Ali KhanBade Fateh Ali Khan Bade Fateh Ali Khan Bade Fateh Ali Khan (Urdu: استاد بڑے فتح علی خان (born 1935) is amongst the foremost Khyal vocalists alive today in Pakistan, and the last significant exponent of the Patiala Gharana (stylistic lineage)...
- StARStAR (album)StAR is an album by Norwegian saxophonist Jan Garbarek, featuring Miroslav Vitous and Peter Erskine, released on the ECM label in 1991.-Reception:...
(ECM, 1991) with Miroslav VitousMiroslav VitoušMiroslav Ladislav Vitouš , is a Czech jazz bassist.-Biography:Born in Prague, he began the violin at age six, and started playing the piano at age ten, and bass at fourteen. As a young man in Europe, Vitouš was a competitive swimmer. One of his early music groups was the Junior Trio with his... - AtmosAtmos (album)Atmos is an album by Czech bassist Miroslav Vitous featuring Norwegian saxophonist Jan Garbarek recorded in 1992 and released on the ECM label.-Reception:...
(ECM, 1992) with Miroslav Vitous - MadarMadar (album)Madar is an album by Norwegian saxophonist Jan Garbarek featuring Tunisian oud player Anouar Brahem and Pakistani tabla master Ustad Shaukat Hussain recorded in 1992 and released on the ECM label in 1994.-Reception:...
(ECM, 1992) with Anouar BrahemAnouar BrahemAnouar Brahem is an oud player and composer. He is widely acclaimed as an innovator in his field...
and Shaukat Hussain - Twelve MoonsTwelve MoonsTwelve Moons is an album by Norwegian saxophonist Jan Garbarek recorded in 1992 and released on the ECM label.-Reception:The Allmusic review awarded the album 4 stars.-Track listing:# "Twelve Moons" - 7:35# "Psalm" - 6:33...
(ECM, 1992) - OfficiumOfficium (album)Officium is an album by Norwegian saxophonist Jan Garbarek and early music vocal group, The Hilliard Ensemble, that was released in 1994....
(ECM, 1994) with the Hilliard EnsembleHilliard EnsembleThe Hilliard Ensemble is a British male vocal quartet originally devoted to the performance of early music. Founded in 1974, the group is named after the Elizabethan miniaturist painter Nicholas Hilliard.... - Visible WorldVisible WorldVisible World is an album by Norwegian saxophonist Jan Garbarek recorded in 1995 and released on the ECM label.-Reception:The Allmusic review by Chris Kelsey awarded the album 2½ stars stating "This is quiet, contemplative music for the most part -- attractive, but not superficially pretty. Its...
(ECM, 1995) - RitesRites (album)Rites is a double album by Norwegian saxophonist Jan Garbarek recorded in 1998 and released on the ECM label.-Reception:The Allmusic review by Thom Jurek awarded the album 4 stars stating "On one collection, listeners get music for prayer, contemplation, and grief, as well as a funky European read...
(ECM, 1998) - Mnemosyne (ECM, 1999) with the Hilliard EnsembleHilliard EnsembleThe Hilliard Ensemble is a British male vocal quartet originally devoted to the performance of early music. Founded in 1974, the group is named after the Elizabethan miniaturist painter Nicholas Hilliard....
- In Praise of DreamsIn Praise of DreamsIn Praise of Dreams is a jazz album by Jan Garbarek released in 2004 on ECM. In 2005, it was nominated for the Grammy for "Best Contemporary Jazz Album"...
(ECM, 2003) - DresdenDresden (album)Dresden is a double-disc live album by Norwegian saxophonist Jan Garbarek. It was released on the ECM label and was his first live release for the label since he first recorded for them almost forty years earlier.- Personnel :...
(ECM, 2009) live album - Officium Novum (ECM, 2010) with the Hilliard EnsembleHilliard EnsembleThe Hilliard Ensemble is a British male vocal quartet originally devoted to the performance of early music. Founded in 1974, the group is named after the Elizabethan miniaturist painter Nicholas Hilliard....
As sideman
With Bill ConnorsBill Connors
Bill Connors is a jazz musician notable for being a legato technique master, adept at both the acoustic and electric guitar, and successfully played jazz-rock, free and fusion material in the '70s and '80s. His best early solos were in the jazz-rock genre, where his use of distortion and...
- Of Mist and MeltingOf Mist and MeltingOf Mist and Melting is the second album by American guitarist and composer Bill Connors recorded in 1977 and released on the ECM label.-Reception:The Allmusic review by Paul Kohler awarded the album 3 stars calling it "An atmospheric jazz album"....
(ECM, 1977)
With David Darling
David Darling (musician)
David Darling is an American cellist and composer. He won the Grammy award for Best New Age Album in 2010. He has performed and recorded with artists such as Bobby McFerrin and Spyro Gyra in addition to putting out several solo and small ensemble albums as well as albums of his...
- CyclesCycles (David Darling album)Cycles is the second album by cellist David Darling recorded in 1981 and released on the ECM label.-Reception:The Allmusic review by Scott Yanow awarded the album 4 stars stating "Darling and his sidemen give the music a wide variety of sounds...
(ECM, 1981)
With Paul Giger
Paul Giger
Paul Giger , is a Swiss violinist and composer. He plays contemporary classical music, jazz, and free improvised music, and specializes in extended techniques....
- AlpsteinAlpstein (album)Alpstein is the second album by Swiss violinist Paul Giger recorded in 1990 and 1991 and released on the ECM label.-Reception:The Allmusic review by Mark W. B...
(ECM, 1991)
With Egberto Gismonti
Egberto Gismonti
Egberto Gismonti Amin is a Brazilian composer, guitarist and pianist.Gismonti began his formal music studies at the age of six on piano. After studying classical music for 15 years, he went to Paris to study orchestration and analysis with Nadia Boulanger and the composer Jean Barraqué, a disciple...
- Sol Do Meio DiaSol Do Meio DiaSol Do Meio Dia is an album by Brazilian composer, guitarist and pianist Egberto Gismonti recorded in 1977 and released on the ECM label.-Reception:The Allmusic review by Stephen Cook awarded the album 4 stars calling it an "impressive combo outing.....
(ECM, 1977) - MagicoMagico (album)Magico is an album by bassist Charlie Haden, saxophonist Jan Garbarek and guitarist Egberto Gismonti recorded in 1979 and released on the ECM label.-Reception:...
(ECM, 1979) with Charlie HadenCharlie HadenCharles Edward Haden is an American jazz musician. He is a double bassist, probably best known for his long association with saxophonist Ornette Coleman... - Folk SongsFolk Songs (album)Folk Songs is an album by bassist Charlie Haden, saxophonist Jan Garbarek and guitarist Egberto Gismonti recorded in 1979 and released on the ECM label. The album follows the trio's first recording Magico .-Reception:...
(ECM, 1979) with Charlie HadenCharlie HadenCharles Edward Haden is an American jazz musician. He is a double bassist, probably best known for his long association with saxophonist Ornette Coleman...
With Trilok Gurtu
- Living Magic (1990)
With Zakir Hussain
Zakir Hussain (musician)
Zakir Hussain , , is an Indian tabla player, musical producer, film actor and composer.-Early life:Hussain was born in Mumbai, India to the legendary tabla player Alla Rakha. He attended St...
- Making MusicMaking Music (Zakir Hussain album)Making Music is an album by Indian tabla player and composer Zakir Hussain featuring Jan Garbarek, John McLaughlin and Hariprasad Chaurasia, recorded in 1986 and released on the ECM label.-Reception:The Allmusic review by Michael G...
(ECM, 1986) with John McLaughlinJohn McLaughlin (musician)John McLaughlin , also known as Mahavishnu John McLaughlin, is an English guitarist, bandleader and composer...
and Hariprasad ChaurasiaHariprasad ChaurasiaPandit Hariprasad Chaurasia is an Indian classical instrumentalist. He is a player of the bansuri, the North Indian bamboo flute. Chaurasia is a classicist who has made a conscious effort to reach out and expand the audience for classical music.-Early life:Hariprasad Chaurasia was born in...
With Keith Jarrett
Keith Jarrett
Keith Jarrett is an American pianist and composer who performs both jazz and classical music.Jarrett started his career with Art Blakey, moving on to play with Charles Lloyd and Miles Davis. Since the early 1970s he has enjoyed a great deal of success in jazz, jazz fusion, and classical music; as...
- BelongingBelonging (album)Belonging is an album by American pianist Keith Jarrett which was released on the ECM label in 1974. It is the first album by Jarrett's 'European Quartet' featuring Jan Garbarek, Palle Danielsson and Jon Christensen...
(ECM, 1974) - LuminessenceLuminessence (album)Luminessence is an album composed by American pianist Keith Jarrett featuring saxophonist Jan Garbarek and the Südfunk-Sinfonieorchester conducted by Mladen Gutesha which was released on the ECM label in 1975.. Jarrett does not perform on this album....
(ECM, 1974) - Arbour ZenaArbour ZenaArbour Zena is an album composed by American pianist Keith Jarrett featuring saxophonist Jan Garbarek, bassist Charlie Haden and the Stuttgart Radio Symphony Orchestra conducted by Mladen Gutesha which was released on the ECM label in 1975..-Reception:...
(ECM, 1975) - My Song (ECM, 1977)
- Personal MountainsPersonal MountainsPersonal Mountains is a live album by American pianist Keith Jarrett which was released on the ECM label in 1989. It was recorded at a live performance by Jarrett's 'European Quartet', featuring Jan Garbarek, Palle Danielsson and Jon Christensen, in Tokyo in April 1979.-Reception:The Allmusic...
(ECM, 1979) - Nude AntsNude AntsNude Ants is a live album by American pianist Keith Jarrett which was released on the ECM label in 1979. It was recorded at a live performance by Jarrett's 'European Quartet', featuring Jan Garbarek, Palle Danielsson and Jon Christensen, at the Village Vanguard in New York City in May 1979...
(ECM, 1979)
With Manu Katché
Manu Katché
Manu Katché is a French musician of Ivorian origin, born in Saint-Maur-des-Fossés on 27 October 1958. He is a drummer and songwriter.-Career:Session musician...
- NeighbourhoodNeighbourhood (album)Neighbourhood is the second solo album released by talented session drummer Manu Katché. While his first offering, It's About Time, was considered a rock/funk album, Neighbourhood is solid jazz...
(ECM, 2006)
With Eleni Karaindrou
Eleni Karaindrou
Eleni Karaindrou is a Greek composer, born in Teichio. She studied piano and theory at the Hellenikon Odion in Athens. She is best known for scoring the films of Theo Angelopoulos...
- Music For Films (1991)
With Kim Kashkashian
Kim Kashkashian
Kim Kashkashian is an Armenian-American violist.-Professional career:Kim Kashkashian studied the viola with Karen Tuttle. She also studied at the Interlochen Center for the Arts. She won the 2nd prize at the 1980 Lionel Tertis International Viola Competition and the 1980 ARD International Music...
- Monodia (2002)
With Karin Krog
Karin Krog
Karin Krog is a Norwegian jazz vocalist.- Life and career :She started to sing at an early age and in 1955 she was hired by the pianist Kjell Karlsen to sing in his sextet.Her great grandfather is Anders Heyerdahl...
- Jazz Moments (1966)
- Til Vigdis (1967)
- Joy (1968)
With Art Lande
Art Lande
Art Lande is a jazz pianist, drummer, composer and educator.Born in New York City, he began piano at age 4, studied at Williams College, and moved to the San Francisco Bay Area in 1969. He made the first record of his own compositions in 1973 for ECM Records, in a duo with saxophonist/flutist Jan...
- Red LantaRed LantaRed Lanta is an album by American jazz pianist Art Lande featuring Norwegian saxophonist Jan Garbarek recorded in 1973 and released on the ECM label.-Reception:...
(ECM, 1973)
With Marilyn Mazur
Marilyn Mazur
Marilyn Mazur is a percussionist, drummer, composer, vocalist, pianist, dancer and bandleader. She was born in New York and has lived in Denmark from age six. She is of Polish and African-American descent. Since 1975, she has worked as a percussionist with various groups, among them Six Winds with...
- Elixir (2007)
With Gary Peacock
Gary Peacock
Gary Peacock is an American jazz double-bassist.-Biography:After military service in Germany, in the early sixties he worked on the west coast with Barney Kessel, Bud Shank, Paul Bley and Art Pepper, then moved to New York. He worked there with Bley, the Bill Evans trio , and Albert Ayler's trio...
- December PoemsDecember PoemsDecember Poems is an album by American jazz bassist Gary Peacock, with Norwegian saxophonist Jan Garbarek added on two selections, recorded in 1977 and released on the ECM label in 1979.-Reception:The Allmusic review by David R...
(ECM, 1977) - Voice from the Past - ParadigmVoice from the Past - ParadigmVoice from the Past - Paradigm is an album by American jazz bassist Gary Peacock recorded in 1981 and released on the ECM label.-Reception:...
(ECM, 1981) - GuambaGuambaGuamba is an album by American jazz bassist Gary Peacock, with saxophonist Jan Garbarek, trumpeter Palle Mikkelborg, and drummer Peter Erskine, recorded in 1987 and released on the ECM label.-Reception:...
(ECM, 1987)
With George Russell
- Electronic Sonata for Souls Loved by NatureElectronic Sonata for Souls Loved by NatureElectronic Sonata for Souls Loved by Nature is a work by jazz arranger George Russell originally written in 1968 and first recorded in concert in Norway on April 28, 1969 and released on the Flying Dutchman label...
(Flying Dutchman, 1969) - Trip to PrillarguriTrip to PrillarguriTrip to Prillarguri is a live album by George Russell originally recorded in 1970 and subsequently released on the Italian Soul Note label in 1982, featuring a performance by Russell with Stanton Davis, Jan Garbarek, Terje Rypdal, Arild Andersen, and Jon Christensen...
(Soul Note, 1970) - Listen to the Silence (Soul Note, 1971)
With Terje Rypdal
Terje Rypdal
Terje Rypdal is a Norwegian guitarist and composer. Most of his music has been released on albums of the German record label ECM. Rypdal has collaborated both as a guitarist and as a composer with other ECM artists such as Ketil Bjørnstad and David Darling...
- Terje RypdalTerje Rypdal (album)Terje Rypdal is the second album by Norwegian jazz guitarist Terje Rypdal recorded in 1971 and released on the ECM label.-Reception:The Allmusic review awarded the album 3 stars.-Track listing:# "Keep It Like That - Tight" - 12:14# "Rainbow" - 7:05...
(ECM, 1971) - Hav (1971) with Jan Erik VoldJan Erik VoldJan Erik Vold is a Norwegian lyric poet, translator and author. He was a core member of the so-called "Profil generation", the circle attached to the literary magazine Profil. Throughout his career as an artist, he has had the ability to reach the public, both with his poetry and his political views...
With L. Shankar
L. Shankar
Lakshminarayanan Shankar, also known as L. Shankar and Shenkar, is an Indian-born American violinist, singer and composer.-Early life:...
- Vision (1983)
- Song for EveryoneSong for EveryoneSong for Everyone is an album by Indian violinist L. Shankar, featuring Jan Garbarek, Zakir Hussain and Trilok Gurtu. It was released on the ECM label in 1985.The Allmusic review by Richard S...
(1985)
With the Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra
- Caris Mere (1995)
With Ralph Towner
Ralph Towner
Ralph Towner is an American multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger and bandleader. He plays the twelve-string guitar, classical guitar, piano, synthesizer, percussion and trumpet.-Biography:...
- SolsticeSolstice (Ralph Towner album)Solstice is an album by the American guitarist Ralph Towner that was released on the ECM label in 1975. It features Towner with Jan Garbarek, Eberhard Weber and Jon Christensen....
(ECM, 1975) - Solstice/Sound and ShadowsSolstice/Sound and ShadowsSolstice/Sound and Shadows is an album by the American guitarist Ralph Towner that was released on the ECM label in 1977. It is the second album to feature the Solstice quartet of Towner with Jan Garbarek, Eberhard Weber and Jon Christensen....
(ECM, 1977)
With Miroslav Vitous
Miroslav Vitouš
Miroslav Ladislav Vitouš , is a Czech jazz bassist.-Biography:Born in Prague, he began the violin at age six, and started playing the piano at age ten, and bass at fourteen. As a young man in Europe, Vitouš was a competitive swimmer. One of his early music groups was the Junior Trio with his...
- Universal SyncopationsUniversal SyncopationsUniversal Syncopations is an album by Czech bassist Miroslav Vitous recorded in 2003 and released on the ECM label.-Reception:The Allmusic review by Thom Jurek awarded the album 4 stars stating "Universal Syncopations is by turns a return to not the old forms, but rather to the manner of...
(ECM, 2003)
With Eberhard Weber
Eberhard Weber
Eberhard Weber is a German double bassist and composer. As a bass player, Weber is known for his highly distinctive tone and phrasing...
- ChorusChorus (Eberhard Weber album)Chorus is an album by German double bassist and composer Eberhard Weber featuring Jan Garbarek and Ralf-R. Hübner recorded in 1984 and released on the ECM label.-Track listing:# "Part I" - 7:32# "Part II" - 5:31# "Part III/IV" - 8:03# "Part V" - 3:23...
(ECM, 1984) - Stages of a Long Journey (2007)
With Kenny Wheeler
Kenny Wheeler
Kenneth Vincent John Wheeler, OC is a Canadian composer and trumpet and flugelhorn player, based in the U.K. since the 1950s....
- Deer WanDeer WanDeer Wan is an album by Kenny Wheeler featuring performances by Wheeler with Jan Garbarek, John Abercrombie, Dave Holland and Jack DeJohnette with Ralph Towner appearing on one track. The album was recorded in 1977 and released on the ECM label...
(ECM, 1977)