Over the past 15 years, Hanna Paulsberg has established herself as one of the most vital and heartfelt voices on the Norwegian jazz scene. A highly sought-after saxophonist, Paulsberg moves effortlessly between musical genres in her many projects — from the pop/soul/jazz trio GURLS, which she co-founded and writes for, to the quartet Flukten, whose sound blends free jazz and folk influences. She’s also part of a Dexter Gordon tribute with Karin Krog, and has contributed to numerous projects with Trondheim Jazz Orchestra, performing with artists such as Chick Corea and Marius Neset.
Yet her artistic core has always been her own ensemble, the Hanna Paulsberg Concept.
This fall, the quartet releases its fifth album, Himmel over Hav (Sky over Ocean), featuring legendary Norwegian vocalist Elin Rosseland as a special guest.
Hanna Paulsberg has long dreamt of working with Rosseland. Her connection to the vocalist goes back to childhood, when her father – a member of the 1980s band Kix, which featured Rosseland – would share stories and concert tapes at home.
“Elin is an exceptional vocalist,” Paulsberg says. “The tone of her voice goes straight to the heart. She’s rhythmically powerful and an incredibly intuitive improviser.”
The album was recorded at Propeller Studio following a tour of Norwegian jazz clubs in the fall of 2023. After over 15 years of performing together with the original lineup – since their student days at the jazz program in Trondheim – this marks the quartet’s first collaboration with a vocalist.
Paulberg explains: “In recent years, composing has become a much bigger part of my musical life. I wanted to challenge the band to explore more fully composed pieces.”
The result is a rich and varied album, with rolling grooves, tender ballads, and even hints of pop.
The band describes it as: “A mature record — and maybe even a little bit blue, if that makes sense.”
