Vigleik Storaas & Sissel Vera Pettersen
CONSTALATIONS
Consolation is Storaas & Pettersen’s first duo album.
Release: 7 October 2022
Two of the most outstanding musicians from Norway have come together and created something completely unique in a classic duo format. In many ways, the music feels like a real playground where everything is allowed and together they find a greater unity. All the tracks are recorded live, without overdubs, which at times can almost feel incomprehensible. In other words, it oozes a musical excess, and a presence in the music that only many years of focused work can lead to. At the beginning of October, their music will be released on album, and we are incredibly proud to be able to present it at Øra Fonogram.
“Lovely, beautiful, original and exciting from two of our most interesting musicians”
This duo album is a con amore project for both Sissel and Vigleik. The shared joy they experience by conversing spontaneously through improvisation, and letting the music take them where it wants, is a clue throughout the recording. The album focuses on voice and piano, and Sissel Vera's subtle use of live electronics opens up and colors the sound spaces.
“Beautiful, comforting music for the coming dark days of the winter”
The music is an extraordinary mixture of virtuoso improvisations, solo outbursts, a researching and curious interplay. At the same time, Sissel and Vigleik also share a love of good melody, and together they let spontaneous and sparkling playful musicality guide them and the listeners through a landscape of improvisations, their own compositions and songs they both have a strong relationship with - all in very personal interpretations and in an almost telepathic interaction - pure melodic beauty. It's jazz at its best
Musicians:
Sissel Vera Pettersen - vocals, saxophone & live electronics. Pettersen has been a strong contributor to the international jazz and improvisation scene for a number of years. She has, among other things, worked with stars such as Marilyn Mazur, Chick Corea, and Lionel Loueke. She is also the artistic director of Trondheim Voices
"Improvising with Vigleik feels like a conversation that can lead anywhere, but which always has a clear common thread. One person's idea is seized by the other and leads to new thoughts, and so the musical conversation develops in a way that cannot be planned. And that is precisely where the joy lies in playing with others; in being surprised along the way. Everything is open, and you have confidence that no matter what antics you take, the other person is there - responsive and with good, interesting and often unexpected counterplay." - Sissel V. P.
Vigleik Storaas - piano. Storaas is one of Norway's biggest piano heroes both in his own Norwegian Grammy-winning projects and as a co-musician in other people's projects. Since the 80s and until today, Storaas has shaped a melodically exuberant jazz language together with e.g. Karin Krog and John Surman, as well as international greats such as Chet Baker, Bobby McFerrin and John Scofield.
"Making music with Sissel is very exciting and inspiring! Her unbound way of improvisation means that every whim and every shape change is reshaped and helps the music enter new tracks. She is genreless without being uncharacteristic, and this suits me perfectly!" - Vigleik S.
PRODUCTION // OF 202
Recorded in Øra Studio by Jo Ranheim
Mixed in Øra Studio by Jo Ranheim, Sissel Vera Pettersen & Vigleik Storaas
Mastered by Karl Klaseie in Øra Mastering
Cover Art and design by Christian Meaas Svendsen
Cover photos by Sissel Vera Pettersen