Arts & Architecture - Norway - page 904

For a wonderful overview of traditional Norwegian folk music, the 2007 CD Norway: Tradi-
tional Music excavates long-lost music from the vaults of Norwegian Public Radio.
Sami Music
The haunting music of the Sami people of northern Norway is enjoying a revival. Recent
Sami artists such as Aulu Gaup, Sofis Jannock, Mari Boine Persen and Nils Aslak
Valkeapää have performed, recorded and popularised traditional and modern versions of
the traditional joik ( personal songs). Boine in particular has enjoyed international air-time
and her distinctive sound blends folk-rock with joik roots.
Contemporary Music
Fiddling for Norway: Revival and Identity, by Chris Goertzen, looks at the revival of folk-
fiddling in Norway, the history of Norwegian folk music and its influence on the world folk-
music scene.
Jazz
Norway has a thriving jazz scene, with world-class festivals held throughout the year all
over the country.
Jazz saxophonist Jan Garbarek is one of the most enduring Norwegian jazz personalities
and is one of the biggest names on the international stage, quite apart from his fame within
Norway. His work draws on classical, folk and world-music influences and he has recor-
ded 30 albums, some including collaborations with renowned artists across a range of
genres. His daughter, Anja Garbarek, is seen as one of the most exciting and innovative
performers on the Norwegian jazz scene, bringing pop and electronica into the mix.
Other well-known performers include pianists Bugge Wesseltoft and Ketil Bjørnstad,
saxophonist Trygve Seim, guitarist Terje Rypdal and female jazz singers Solveig Slet-
tahjell, Sidsel Endresen and Karin Krog. Supersilent, the Christian Wallumrod Ensemble
and the cutting-edge Jaga Jazzist rank among Norway's best-loved jazz groups.
Jazzbasen ( www.jazzbasen.no/index_eng.html ) is the internet's true home of Norwegian
jazz.