The Norwegian jazz scene is like the hat of a magician: when you think nothing more can get out from its mysterious hole, there’s something else emerging to amaze us. SNIK is such a case. The compositions are from two of the members of this quartet, trombonist Kristoffer Kompen and double bassist Ole Morten Vagan. Vagan is one of the most respected names of the Scandinavian jazz, with his membership of Joshua Redman Trio and his quintet Motif, writing scores for the Trondheim Jazz Orchestra or playing with the likes of Axel Dorner, Fredrik Ljungkvist, Bugge Wesseltoft and Rudi Mahall. Kompen became a member of the big band Jazzin’ Babies when he was only 15 years old and since then it seems that the sky is the only limit for him. He’s the founding leader of the bands Union Rhythm Kings and Kompen Quintet and the author of “Tribute to Jack Teagarden”, maybe the most important link between the trombone practices of today and the times of the so-called “father of jazz trombone”.  What a combination! Together with Kristoffer Berre Alberts and Erik Nylander they show us that it’s not possible to play cold jazz, even when surrounded by snow and ice. “Metasediment Rock” is to the sensible hearts what volcanos are to close-by villages: dangerous.

1 and 8 by Ole Morten Vågan (TONO) / 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 by Kristoffer Kompen (TONO)

Recorded by Eyolf Dale at Wolf Valley Studios February 11th and 12th 2014 / Mixed and mastered by Eyolf Dale
Produced by Snik / Executive production by Pedro Costa for Trem Azul / Design by Travassos / Photos by Mikkel Cappelen Smith