And Now – Kjetil Mulelid Trio

The Kjetil Mulelid Trio is an acoustic piano trio that has, since its inception in 2016, performed extensively across much of Europe, and toured Canada and Japan, as well as released three critically acclaimed albums. In 2017, they debuted with the album “Not Nearly Enough To Buy A House”, which received international recognition, with reviews worldwide drawing comparisons to names like Keith Jarrett and Bill Evans. They followed this with their second album in 2019, “What You Thought Was Home”, which Jazz Journal awarded a 5/5 rating, calling it “some of the most captivating music I’ve heard.” In 2022, they released their third album, “Who Do You Love the Most?”, which received widespread praise from Norwegian newspapers. Dagens Næringsliv described it as “top-tier modern piano trio jazz,” Dag og Tid called it “cohesive and successful,” and Morgenbladet simply proclaimed it “the very definition of quality time.”

“The trio format feels to me like the ultimate setting for jazz and improvisation when it comes to the piano. With good interplay, there is space for all three instruments—both in terms of frequency and register—and for the roles that need to be filled, allowing the music to flow freely and sing. I feel the piano gets ample room to color the music with harmonies and melodies, while the bass and drums enhance the song or fill in what might be missing. ‘And Now’ is our first album with Rune on bass. When Bjørn Marius stepped away after many wonderful years, I was uncertain about the future of the trio. That changed when I heard Rune play double bass with his band Fra det Onde at Blå in Oslo one February evening in 2022. It was his first concert with the double bass in many years, though I wasn’t aware of that at the time. The bass sang, and I was captivated. We met a few days later, started improvising together, and Andreas joined on drums. The time we had set aside flew by. Rune has a raw and exploratory playing style, while also enjoying taking melodic space. This has been a major source of inspiration both compositionally and in our interplay, and the music on the album has, in many ways, emerged through getting to know a bassist like Rune within the trio. I’m incredibly proud of the result and hope you enjoy it!” – Kjetil