Svein Olav Herstad Trio
Svein Olav Herstad has for a number of years collaborated with different artists within the jazz community after graduating from jazz studies at Trøndelag Conservatory of Music, but has occasionally found time to cultivate his main interest with a standard trio crew, which has resulted in “DIG” (1993), “Sommerregn” (2003), and “Suite for Simmons” (2005). Svein Olav Herstad has in recent years become known as a musician with a broad range of qualities. His piano style is very lyrical, combined with an aggressiveness which creates a rare contrast. Herstad’s music is played and recorded by numerous artists around the world. The latest composition is the commissioned work “Haugesund 2005”, in which he himself contributes as a pianist and composer in collaboration with the alto saxophone player Sonny Simmons. The trio published the record “Inventio” in February 2007
Bass player Magne Thormodsæter has besides working with Svein Olav Herstad Trio collaborated with among others Knut Kristiansen, Hector Bingert, Per Jørgensen, Guillam Simcock, Franco Piccino and Dag Arnesen. Magne Thormodsæther is also connected to Bergen Big Band. He has for several years conducted, composed and arranged for big bands and smaller ensembles, and was awarded Vossajazzprisen in 2003 for his work with his own band Bungalow.
Håkon Mjåset Johansen started to play drums at the age of seven, and attended jazz studies at Trøndelag Conservatory of Music in the period 1995 – 1999, where he also majored in main instrument studies in the period 1999 – 2000. He has since been one of Norway’s most used drummers. He was early inspired by drummers like Buddy Rich, Ed Blackwell, Paul Motian in addition to a strong interest of music of all kinds. As a freelance musician he has worked with among others Chick Corea, Michal Brecker, Steve Grossman, Jan Garbarek, Mark Turner, Roger Kellaway, Toku, Hal Galper, Kevin Dean, Yasuhito Mori, Knut Riisnes etc.