Tord Gustavsen

In his compositions, Norwegian pianist and composer Tord Gustavsen successfully melds brooding Nordic lyricism and modern jazz to strains of Scandinavian folk music; African-American gospel; European Protestant hymnody; and Afro-Caribbean melodies, harmonies, and rhythms. Whether performing in his own 21st century trios and quartets or in collaboration with others, Gustavsen's understated approach is roomy and spacious; it often sounds otherworldly, as evidenced by his ECM trio trilogy Changing Places, Ground, and Being There. His 2016 vocal quartet offering What Was Said depi...