Formed in 1993 at the Trondheim Music Conservatory, The Source represents a pivotal branch of the Norwegian jazz explosion. While contemporaries like Jan Garbarek leaned into ECM-style minimalism, The Source - led by saxophonist Trygve Seim and trombonist Øyvind Brække - pivoted toward a more maximalist, fusion-oriented approach.
Their sound is characterized by the unique frontline pairing of tenor/soprano sax and trombone, supported by a rotating cast of Norway's elite rhythm sections, including Mats Eilertsen and Per Oddvar Johansen. They are best known for their 'Of Christmas' series, which evolved from a local tradition into a massive collaborative project involving symphonic orchestras and world music stars. Critically, they are lauded for their ability to balance high-concept avant-garde structures with a populist, almost theatrical sense of fun. They occupy a unique space in the European scene as a bridge between the academic rigor of jazz education and the wild, uninhibited spirit of global folk music.
Shares avant-garde jazz, jazz fusion, playful, dynamic_range (signature)
Shares avant-garde jazz, jazz fusion, playful, dynamic_range (signature)
Shares avant-garde jazz, trombone, jazz fusion, playful (signature)
Shares avant-garde jazz, jazz fusion, dynamic_range, saxophone (signature)
Shares avant-garde jazz, jazz fusion, playful, saxophone (signature)
Cassette uses generative AI to enrich its catalog. How we use AI →