Bugge ‘n Friends
FEATURES: BUGGE WESSELTOFT · ERIK TRUFFAZ · ILHAN ERSAHIN · JOAQUIN JOE CLAUSSELL
BUGGE WESSELTOFT ‘n Friends is a 7 people jazz group consisting of Wesseltofts long time friends and hereos. A multinational all star line up with melodic brass section, a warm sounding rhythm section, electronic percussion and catchy compositions written by Bugge Wesseltoft. True international music with influences from 4 different countries.
The group features BUGGE WESSELTOFT himself, french trumpeter ERIK TRUFFAZ from Blue Note, New Yorks Nublu club founder and turkish saxophonist ILHAN ERSAHIN, the US dj/ producer legend JOAQUIN “JOE” CLAUSSELL and a three piece rhythm section.
The project might remind of the great success and vibe of New Conception Of Jazz but raised to another level.
After a celebrated all star concert at Oslo Jazz festival September 2011 together with Erik Truffaz, Ilhan Ersahin, Joaquin “Joe” Claussell, the singers Torun Eriksen and Beate Lech from Beady Belle the story will continue summer 2012.
Line up
Bugge Wesseltoft : grand piano, rhodes, synthesizer
Erik Truffaz : trumpet
Ilhan Ersahin : saxophon
Joaquin “Joe” Claussell : beats/electronic & organic percussion
Marius Reksjø : Bass
Erik Holm : percussions
Andreas Bye : drums
Bugge Wesseltoft, leader of Bugge ‘n Friends, about his latest project:
Im so proud of beeing able to present this fantastic line up of Friends and Heroes I have been so fortunate to hear and work with the last 10 years! The Bugge´n Friends Project is all about presenting a community of music and international artists. All mixing jazz and electronic music together in a deep mutual respect and with a facination for each others worlds.
After establishing my concept “The New Conception Of Jazz” in 1996 mixing my jazz background with the inspirations and admiration for electronic club music, I got in touch with a whole new and fantastic music scene. Mid 90ties is to me a small version of the late 60ties (my favourite period in music), with a great openness and will to experiment throughout genres and musical directions. This period has been leading to the most interesting mixes of electronic music and Jazz.
One of the first artists I met on my way was the great trumpeter Erik Truffaz from France. We started mixing musical elements around the same time, him in France, myself in Norway. Then we did our first tour together in 2000, him as guest in my group.
Going to clubs listening to great DJs was the factor that really started my facination for club music. I found an audience worshipping music through dancing and movement instead of clapping after a good solo, but is just as dedicated and skilled in this type of music as the jazzaudience that I was used to. The way those amazingly skilled Djs worked and created incredible dynamic energy with records blew me away totally. Their way of thinking of music reminded me of late 60ties Miles, Coltrane, Sun Ra stuff. Long tracks building dynamic waves. By talking to them I found a deeply rooted openness, curiousity and understanding for music, and we totally met in a common interest for music. from Jazz to experimental stuff.
Hearing Joaquin Joe Claussell live first time at Saturos Beyond Festival in Sapporo was all about that. What a fantastic DJ! Treating records like a percussion instrument the crowd went mad to say it mildly. So did I.
The fortune of beeing a musician carries me around the world and so I met Swedish/Turkish/American Saxophonist Ilhan Ersahin first time in one of the greatest cities in the world, Istanbul. The two of us also had a similar development, both running a label and a band (him Nublu Records & Nublu Orchestra, myself Jazzland Recordings, New Conception of Jazz), focused on mixing club and jazzmusic. In addition Ilhan also run the Nublu Club, one of the coolest and most upcoming in New York.
When asking all these incredible artists years later joning me in the Bugge´n Friends project they were all into it! Im so thankful! We had our first concert at the Oslo Jazzfestival August 2011. Was so much fun and shared good vibes both at rehearsals and concert. This type of music is all about artists and audience together sharing and joining forces with the main purpose of creating good energy! I really think we did just that, and if we are clever and lucky I’m quite sure we will do it again!
Before touring the summer festivals in 2012 I’m also delighted to present a special Japanese version of Bugge´n Friends in April at Blue Note Club Tokyo. Feeling so welcomed in Japan, I have had the pleasure of hearing and working with amazing Japanese artists! In april we will be joined by bassplayer Masato Ucon from the Kyotos great band Soft. And my dear friend Akiko Ishi whom I had the pleasure of producing in my studio in Oslo. Did I forget to mention I’m looking forward? I AM!!!!