Photo: Eir-Jørgen Bue
Aileron
Aileron is a new all-star jazz quartet, featuring some of the most prolific and vibrant artists from the Berlin and Trondheim scenes. Their debut album will be released on Svale Records in November 2026, and Aileron is all set for a flying start of 2027 with concerts at clubs and festivals around Norway.
In May 2025, Aileron played their premiering concert at Jazzfest in Trondheim. Within three days the quartet — who met for the very first time — had recorded a full album and given a world premiere of Espen’s newly written music. For Aileron, he has composed seven pieces drawing on influences from Brad Mehldau, Gerald Clayton, Keith Jarrett, and Jan Garbarek—energetic and lyrical jazz firmly rooted in the Afro-American jazz tradition, while gazing toward the contemporary European jazz scene. His music leaves ample space for attentive and playful interaction, and for individual performances at the very highest level. Aileron—featuring four outstanding soloists —nonetheless sounds like a seasoned and rock-solid band. This is a group that truly brings out the best in one another.
Espen Berg, piano // Emma Rawicz, saxophones // Kertu Aer, bass // Håkon Mjåset Johansen, drums
Photo: Leikny Havik Skjærseth
Siril Malmedal Hauge and Kjetil Mulelid
In recent years, Siril Malmedal Hauge and Kjetil Mulelid have established themselves as strong voices in the Norwegian music scene, with extensive touring, Spellemann Award (Norwegian Grammy) nominations, and critically acclaimed releases praised by international press. Together and individually, they have emerged as distinctive artists of their generation. They have collaborated in various constellations since 2013 and have performed at festivals and clubs throughout Norway, including through Siril’s solo projects.
Their duo collaboration began in autumn 2022, and since then they have continued to develop their musical interplay, shared references, and artistic energy through performances in Norway, Romania, France, Portugal, South Korea, China, and Japan.
Their music is a mix of original songs and new covers of well-known cover songs, characterized by Hauge's clear and expressive voice and Kjetil's quirky piano playing. It is music in a catchy landscape, but with a good dose of resistance and surprises that take the listener into their musical universe.
Photo: Leikny Havik Skjærseth
Espen Berg Trio
Espen Berg Trio is an award-winning piano trio from Norway. Outselling concert halls all over the world, the trio referred to as one of the best trios in existence today by Jazz Journal has already made a mark outside their home country. Their music might be reminiscent of that of Brad Mehldau, Keith Jarrett, Shai Maestro or Tigran Hamasyan, but above all it’s a personal addition to the legacy of the piano trio and to the evolution of the Nordic jazz scene, featuring a compelling combination of strong melodies and complex rhythmics, immense technical abilities and a highly engaging interplay.
Espen Berg, piano and compositions // Bárður Reinert Poulsen, bass // Simon Albertsen, drums
Photo: Anne-Kari Myrvik
Liv Andrea Hauge
Liv Andrea Hauge is a Norwegian musician and composer from Northern Norway, currently based in Oslo. She graduated from the Norwegian Academy of Music in 2020 with a degree in jazz and improvised music, and has since established herself as an active and distinctive voice on the Norwegian jazz scene.
Hauge works both as a performer and composer, with a primary focus on her own projects. Her music is characterized by a strong emphasis on improvisation, interaction, and openness, where initiative and creativity in the moment play a central role. This is particularly evident in her trio, where the collective expression evolves through close musical dialogue.
As a composer, she has written for a wide range of ensembles, including big band, woodwind trio, string orchestra, and symphony orchestra. She has also collaborated with renowned artists such as Ane Brun and Solveig Slettahjell.
Recent highlights include the release of Døgnville, her trio’s third album, and performances at international festivals such as the Sydney International Women’s Jazz Festival and the Melbourne International Jazz Festival, alongside musicians including Chloe Kim and Jacques Emery.
Through her work, Liv Andrea Hauge stands out as a versatile and forward-looking artist with a clear and personal voice within contemporary jazz and improvised music.