Bugge Wesseltoft is a Norwegian jazz pianist, composer and producer, and the son of the jazz guitarist Erik Wesseltoft. In the early 1990s, he influenced the Norwegian jazz scene by replacing the Nordic jazz traditions represented by the ECM label with a style sometimes referred to as 'future jazz' or 'nu jazz'.
Wesseltoft also embraced electronic music, incorporating various elements of the contemporary dance scene into his interpretation of jazz. Highlights of his electronic projects include collaborations with genre legends such as Laurent Garnier and Henrik Schwarz.
Alongside the crème de la crème of Nordic jazz, Bugge has played and recorded with renowned artists such as Billy Cobham, Jan Garbarek, Gilberto Gil, Wax Poetic, Eva Kruse and Mike Mainieri.
Bugge Wesseltoft is coming to our festival with a new and deeply personal chapter in his musical journey. Alongside legendary bassist Arild Andersen and innovative drummer and singer Øyunn, he presents a classic piano trio with a distinctive modern sound.
The trio will focus on the repertoire from Bugge's new album AM ARE, but will also play compositions by all three members, as well as Bugge Wesseltoft's reinterpretations of selected classical pieces.
AM ARE is the fifth instalment in Bugge's series of solo albums, which began in 2007. The series is known for its melancholic and understated tone.
We look forward to welcoming a Nordic legend to the Bratislava Jazz Days Slovenská sporiteľňa, who has been one of the most important protagonists of European jazz for almost thirty years.