Barrage
THE WAS AND IS TO COME

Barrage’s debut album. 
Release: August 28 2020

Barrage is the boundless septet led by bassist and composer Alexander Riris. They are now ready for their debut album which consists of nine original compositions, all signed by Riris. Nine tunes  that the band shapes through their embroidering improvisations and their exploratory interaction. With several similarities to ØyvindLAND in both ensemble and music, it is easy to see the angle of the youth's fearless, fresh and unstoppable joy of playing, but this is by no means a copy, but rather a confirmation of what incredible level today's new Norwegian jazz music is at.

Barrage was started the winter of 2017 as a sextet where Riris got to explore his compositions. After a few concerts, there was a desire to include brass in the band, and the ensemble was thus complete with trumpeter Erling Skorpen. Since then, there has been regular activity with concerts, and now their debut on Øra Fonogram. The songs are varied and colorful, and show the medium-sized ensemble's ability to express itself as a unit, but also as individual individuals. Inspired by improvisational music, jazz and classical music from the 20th century, the music leads the listener into a world of driving rhythm and raw energy.

For Riris, the interaction between the musicians and the interpretations of the written music is of utmost importance. The material ranges from tunes with clear inspiration from Wayne Shorter and Charles Mingus to more conceptual songs that use twelve-tone technique and graphic notation. The music jumps seamlessly between expressions from the last century, but binds it all together in a visceral and unique sound.

Alexander Riris (25) is a bassist who, after finishing his studies at the acclaimed “Jazzlinja” in Trondheim, has based himself in the same city. In addition to his work with Barrage, he writes and leads his own quintet, and he has distinguished himself as a strong composer and a prolific bassist on the jazz scene in Trondheim. In addition to his own projects, he plays a key role in bands such as ØyvindLAND and Cosmic Swing Orchestra. He has also collaborated with impro musician Frode Gjerstad, musical actor Tor Ivar Hagen and singer Mark Gregory. 

Musicians:
Alexander Riris – double bass & compositions
Signe Emmeluth - alto saxophone & bass clarinet
Christian Cuadra - soprano- & alto saxophone
Erling Skorpen - trumpet
Erlend Kongtorp - tenor- & alto saxophone
Hogne Kleiberg - piano
Ingvald Vassbø - drums

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PRODUCTION // OF 158
Produced by Alexander Riris
Recorded in Øra Studio by Jo Ranheim (Trondheim, NO)
Mixed by Kyrre Laastad in Øra Studio (Trondheim, NO)
Mastered by Karl Klaseie in Øra Mastering (Oslo, NO)
Cover art by Lina Gröhn