Terje Isungset

Terje Isungset (b. 1964) is one of Europe’s most accomplished and innovative percussionists. With over two decades experience in jazz and Scandinavian music he is taking these types of music far beyond their traditional boundaries, becoming more like a cross between a sound artist and a shaman. Crafting his own instruments from Norwegian natural elements such as arctic birch, granite, slate, sheep bells and even ice, he is highly recommended to those sensible to the poetry and simplicity of sounds. "Timbres" and "colours" are central in Terje Isungset´s music and compositions. In the press, his work has often been described as innovative, visual, energetic, and different from any previously known concepts. Isungset has also been commissioned to compose music for Jazz festivals, dance performances, theatre, film, etc. In total 29 commissioned concerts. His composition efforts have also brought several critically acclaimed solo CDs: "Reise" (1997), "Floating Rhythms" (2000), "Iceman Is" (2002), "Middle of Mist" (2003), “Igloo” (2006), “Two Moons” (2007), "Ice Concerts" (2008), “Hibernation” (2009) and "Winter Songs" (2010). Isungset is a performing musician with about 100 concerts a year. For the coming years, he is booked for collaboration projects with different international performers, as well as solo concerts and special projects. In the book Percussion Profiles Isungset was given a thorough presentation as one of the world´s most innovative percussionists. He has also been awarded Jazz musician of the year and Composer of the year in Norway. www.isung.net www.icemusic.no Jan 2012