Slackline Magnus Bakken Quartet

• 1 Slackline 05:44
• 2 Dzje 06:08
• 3 In July 06:23
• 4 Three’s A Crowd 05:59
• 5 Some One 06:26
• 6 Bo’s Tune 05:01
• 7 For All Those Years 04:26
• Total Runtime 40:07

Info for Slackline

For Dølajazz 2022, I was commissioned to put together a band and write new music for the opening concert. Dølajazz has long been a festival close to my heart, as it was where I first discovered jazz in my early teens. Naturally, I accepted and took the opportunity to assemble my dream team of musicians to bring my music to life.

Jørn Øien has long been one of my favourite musicians. I remember hearing him for the first time at Oslo Jazz Festival as a teenager. We have collaborated since 2015, when he played piano on my debut album Cycles. Since then, we have toured with his original project Cosmopolitan, and our tribute to Weather Report, Elegant People. Having him play keyboards on this album is a great honour.

Bo Berg is not only a phenomenal bass player, but also a close friend and my best man. Since meeting him at Berklee College of Music in 2010, we have worked closely together with the group Ninjabeat, including the release of The Waiting Game (2016) and West (2018). His deep pocket and dedication to the groove have had a profound impact on my musicianship.

Amund Kleppan has quickly become one of my favorite drummers to work with. Since completing his studies at Jazz Institut Berlin and the Royal Academy of Music, he has become a household name on the Norwegian jazz scene.

Snorre Bjerck is a fantastic percussionist whom I met while touring with Jørn Øien’s Cosmopolitan. His contributions to the first four tracks breathe life and passion into the music.

The music on this album is inspired by people, events and musicians that have had a profound impact on my life. Dzje is for my daughter, whose presence brings joy to my life every day. For All Those Years is a reminder to cherish the good times in life, in loving memory of my grandmother whose parting words, “thank you for all the good years”, will forever stay with me. In July is a threnody for our second baby girl, whose life ended in her mother’s womb.

I hope this music resonates with you as it does with me, and serves as a reminder to live in the moment and embrace all that life has to offer.

A heartfelt thank you to Jørn, Bo, Amund and Snorre for bringing my tunes to life with their incredible musicianship. To Vidar Lunden for capturing our studio performance, Frode Mangen for mixing with exceptional musicality and taste, and Magnus Guldbrandsen for mastering. Thank you to Odd Gjelsnes for believing in this project and for sharing it with the world. And to Fond for utøvende kunstnere for supporting this album.

Magnus Bakken, tenor saxophone, percussion, EWI
Jørn Øien, keyboards
Bo Berg, electric bass
Amund Kleppan, drums
Snorre Bjerck, percussion

Recorded May 26, 2024 by Vidar Lunden at Musikkloftet, Asker, Norway
Mixed September and October, 2024 by Frode Mangen at Mangen Music Studios, Sarpsborg, Norway
Mastered October 2024, by Magnus Gulbrandsen at Jelöy Sound Mastering, Moss, Norway
Produced by Magnus Bakken
Executive producer Odd Gjelsnes

Magnus Bakken
(b. 1991) is a Norwegian jazz musician and composer. His original projects include the Magnus Bakken Quartet, and the fusion group Ninjabeat. As well as leading and performing with his own groups, Magnus has worked with many of the jazz greats of today, like Terri Lyne Carrington, George Garzone, Jon Christensen. He is also one of the most sought-after horn section players in Norway.

Magnus grew up in Lillehammer, Norway, where the local jazz festival, Dølajazz, spiked his interest for music. He has his education from Berklee College of Music (2010-2014), and the Norwegian Academy of Music (2014-2016). Magnus is a household name on the Norwegian jazz scene, and as a horn section player and arranger. He has worked with artists like George Garzone, Jon Christensen, Helge Lien, Terri Lyne Carrington, Atle Pettersen, Heine Totland, Ole Børud and many more. He has appeared on various TV-shows, including Norwegian Idol, and Kvelden før Kvelden 2014. ​

Shortly after moving to Oslo, Norway in 2014, Magnus released his debut album as a solo artist Cycles. The critics were calling the album fresh, energetic and creative (Salt Peanuts) and a promising debut (Jazz i Norge), as well as naming Magnus our new big saxophone-talent (Tor De Jazz). ​

In 2014 Magnus founded the group Ninjabeat. In 2016 they released their debut album The Waiting Game, which also received great reviews. The band has since been touring an performing Magnus’ original music. ​

This album contains no booklet.