Karl Ivar Refseth Trio
Biography Karl Ivar Refseth Trio
Karl Ivar Refseth
is a Norwegian musician from Hedmark in south-eastern Norway. The last several years he has been based in Berlin and been a member of The Notwist, one of Germany’s most internationally acclaimed indie rock bands. Together they have toured all over Europe and performed at a string of festivals.
Refseth has also recorded and toured with Tied&Tickled Trio and the legendary American jazz musician Billy Hart, who has played with musical legends such as Miles Davies, Herbie Hancock, Larry Young and many other.
The Trio
Since 2012/2013 Refseth has established his own project, Karl Ivar Refseth Trio, a jazz trio where he is the main composer, even if the concerts leave plenty of room for improvisation from all of the three experienced musicians. It’s this group Refseth is now taking on the road.
2015 the trio is presenting their debut album, entitled Praying. Its music has been performed in front of a live audience, amongst other places at the International Literature Festival in Lillehammer, Norway. The album was recorded in Brøttum church, a place of great importance for Refseth, who has a close relationship with religion. The result of recording in this church close to his home and heart is a calm and peaceful musical expression. The music inspires thoughtfulness, be it of a religious or secular nature, and Refseth has said he hopes the music will give the audience a feeling of being grounded.
In comparison with earlier compositions, where the sound has been more experimental and perhaps more demanding of the audience, the focus on the new album is on harmonies, beautiful resonances and forming a melodic whole. The background in jazz still shines through, but this piece of music has something ethereal and delicate about it which challenges the listener to embrace silence and the finer nuances of the compositions.
