Debates

Pianist and composer Søren Nørbo holds a unique place in contemporary Scandinavian Jazz. A prolific composer, he is responsible for hundreds of compositions, several (but not certainly not all) of them documented on his 11 releases as a leader. His trio with Kresten Osgood on drums and bassist Niels Præstholm and later Nils Davidsen has done a series of acclaimed albums and is highly regarded for its unique interplay and expressiveness. Nørbo has also collaborated with such names as Joakim Milder and Django Bates (on several albums), Wadada Leo Smith, poet Lars Skinnebach, organist Ulrik Spang-Hanssen and has during his entire career had an affinity for singers, most recently expressed in his collaboration with virtuoso vocalist Elvira Skovsang. 

Often referred to as a "cult musician", which is just another name for "terribly underrated", Nørbo´s importance as guiding light for younger generations of improvisers and experimentalists, both as a teacher and collaborator, cannot be overstated. His playing is full of opposites without being contradictions. It's melodic and abstract, highly personal to the point of almost being private, yet very expressive and capturing at the same time. It belongs in the global canon of pianistic statements (Bill Evans, Jan Johansson, Masabumi Kikuchi, Paul Bley) yet is definitively "Danish sounding" in its musical language and also relates to composers Per Nørgård, Carl Nielsen and the deep Danish song tradition.