Eivind Austad Trio - Northbound (2019)

'Northbound' is the second album from Norway's Eivind Austad Trio, following 2016's 'Moving' (Ozella). Once again, a handful of compositions by the bandleader are developed and given their final shape by the joint efforts of pianist Eivind Austad, double bass player Magne Thormodsæter and drummer Håkon Mjåset Johansen, and once again the track list also includes a slightly altered version of a David Bowie tune, this time the early-Bowie signature 'Space Oddity'. Eivind Austad (b. 1973) lives in Bergen, combining his career as a performing artist with the position of assistant professor at the Jazz Department of Bergen University's Grieg Academy. His background includes jazz studies at the University of Trondheim and the Grieg Academy. As a much-in-demand pianist, he has participated in a wide range of projects in addition to leading his own groups. Magne Thormodsæter (b. 1973) lives in Bergen, is an associate professor at the Jazz Department of Bergen University's Grieg Academy and currently musical director of Bergen Big Band. Like his trio partners Eivind Austad and Håkon Mjåset Johansen, Thormodsæter studied at Trondheim University's renowned 'Jazzlinja', is an award-winning musician and composer and can be heard on approximately 50 albums with Norwegian and international artists. Håkon Mjåset Johansen (b. 1975) lives in Trondheim and is one of Norway's leading and most sought-after drummers, known for his work with among others, Trondheim Jazz Orchestra, Come Shine, Motif and Urban Connection. He has also worked with Chick Corea, Michael Brecker, Jan Garbarek, Mark Turner, Bobby McFerrin, Roger Kellaway, Knut Riisnæs, Bugge Wesseltoft, Nils Petter Molvær, Ola Kvernberg and a host of other doyens of Jazz.