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Album: Oddbjørn Blindheim Trio / Title: Piano Pals / Cat. No.: PJRCD 115

Label: Ponca Jazz Records / www.poncajazzrec.no/english

Distribution: Musikkoperatørene A/S / www.musikkoperatorene.no

Eminent jazz trio finds its inspiration in The Golden Age of Modern Jazz, the 50’s & the 60’s.

On this album from Oddbjørn Blindheim Trio you will find, included two masters within modern jazz-piano, Bud Powell and Thelonious Monk, 11 tunes composed by the elite within jazz piano. All of them from almost the same period, wonderfully performed by these three great musicians.

The musical language of Oddbjørn Blindheim Trio is modern bop. The rythmic element has a strong presence. Funky and swinging - these are terms often used when describing this trio. The influence of blues and gospel is readily detectable. The characteristic trio arrangements give, in addition, the music its tightness and form.

Blindheim started playing the piano in his teens, when he suddenly woke up to Bud Powell and Horace Silver. Eventually he studied dentistry in Oslo, but participated actively in the jazz life of the city while studying and he’s still playing.

In 1999, Blindheim released the album " Horace Hello" (on Gemini Records), a trio album with compositions by Horace Silver . The album became a huge success and received outstanding reviews from all around the world.

Now he is back with the new album ”Piano Pals” which we at Ponca Jazz Records proudly presents to you.

Musicians:

Oddbjørn Blindheim - piano

Bjørn Alterhaug – double bass

Eyvind Wahlen – drums

About Bjørn Alterhaug on bass and Eyvind Wahlen on drums:

Bjørn Alterhaug: He has been a central figure in Norwegian jazz since the ‘60s, both as a musician, composer, bandleader and educator. He has of course participated on a great number of recordings with both national and international artists.

Eyvind Olsen Wahlen has also had a long life as a professional musician. Through the years there have been numbers of recordings and concerts with top musicians from both home and abroad.

This is classical jazz piano trio with class.

Recorded in Rainbow Studio by Jan Erik Kongshaug.

Track list:

1. Bouncin' With Bud / Bud Powell

2. Sugar Ray / Phineas Newborn

3. Haunted Ballroom / Victor Feldman

4. Hot House / Tad Dameron

5. Underground Memoirs / Cedar Walton

6. Tonk / Ray Bryant

7. Dat Dere / Bobby Timmons

8. I Mean You / Thelonious Monk

9. Little Niles / Randy Weston

10. To Hank Jones / George Shearing

11. No Lonely Nights / Keith Jarrett