Nils Økland (musician)
Encyclopedia
Nils Økland is a Norwegian Hardanger fiddle
player known as a bridge builder between contemporary music and folk music, and the brother of the musician Torbjørn Økland
. He performed with the short-lived musical group Løver og Tigre ("Lions and Tigers," 1983), with Balkansemblet (1984-1995 and 2005-) and in a duo along with jazz bassist Bjørnar Andresen (Hot Club Records, 1986). Along with Arvid Gangsø and Jorun Hafstad he played in the trio Skinn og Bein ("Skin and Bones," which recorded Knaus — en samtidscollage (contemporary rock, Hot Club Records, 1989). Along with the improvisational band Supersilent
he appeared on BBC Radio 3
's broadcast The Wire Sessions Live (2000), where the concert program described Økland as a "virtuoso of the traditional Harding fiddle with a solo set that lights up the grey area separating folk forms from free improvisation and modern composition."
After the solo recording Blå harding (Morild, 1996), he recorded Straum ("Stream", Rune Grammofon
, 2000) along with organist and ethnomusicologist
Sigbjørn Apeland on the harmonium
, brother Torbjørn Økland
on guitar, Pål Thorstensen on bass and vocalist Åsne Valland Nordli. Bris, a recent recording ("Breeze," Rune Grammofon
, 2004) which featured his own compositions, was a collaboration with Sigbjørn Apeland, Mats Eilertsen on bass, Per Oddvar Johansen on drums and Håkon Mørch Stene on percussion. Portions of the recording were Økland's music for Jon Fosse
's play Melankolika, a play based on the tragic life of the artist Lars Hertervig
(1830-1902).
As conductor
at the Ole Bull Academy for six years, Økland organized Concerts Norway
, an initiative to regularly perform quality music on a very intensive schedule throughout Norway. He collaborated on several recordings with jazz musician Christian Wallumrød's ensemble and, with Berit Opheim
(vocals) and Bjørn Kjellemyr (bass), recorded for the trio BNB. Økland has also played on CDs issued by Benedicte Maurseth, Knut Hamre, Kari Bremnes
, Alf Cranner, Karoline Krüger
and Hans Fredrik Jacobsen
.
Hardingfele
A Hardanger fiddle is a traditional stringed instrument used originally to play the music of Norway. In modern designs, the instruments are very similar to the violin, though with eight or nine strings and thinner wood...
player known as a bridge builder between contemporary music and folk music, and the brother of the musician Torbjørn Økland
Torbjørn Økland
Torbjørn Eirik Økland . Is a Norwegian musician. Together with Øyvind Staveland he was the founder of the Norwegian band Vamp.-References:...
. He performed with the short-lived musical group Løver og Tigre ("Lions and Tigers," 1983), with Balkansemblet (1984-1995 and 2005-) and in a duo along with jazz bassist Bjørnar Andresen (Hot Club Records, 1986). Along with Arvid Gangsø and Jorun Hafstad he played in the trio Skinn og Bein ("Skin and Bones," which recorded Knaus — en samtidscollage (contemporary rock, Hot Club Records, 1989). Along with the improvisational band Supersilent
Supersilent
Supersilent is a Norwegian avant-garde/improvisational music group formed in Bergen in 1997 and signed on Rune Grammofon. They are known for making only improvised music and for the distinctive uniformity of their album covers....
he appeared on BBC Radio 3
BBC Radio 3
BBC Radio 3 is a national radio station operated by the BBC within the United Kingdom. Its output centres on classical music and opera, but jazz, world music, drama, culture and the arts also feature. The station is the world’s most significant commissioner of new music, and its New Generation...
's broadcast The Wire Sessions Live (2000), where the concert program described Økland as a "virtuoso of the traditional Harding fiddle with a solo set that lights up the grey area separating folk forms from free improvisation and modern composition."
After the solo recording Blå harding (Morild, 1996), he recorded Straum ("Stream", Rune Grammofon
Rune Grammofon
Rune Grammofon is a Norwegian record label founded in 1998 by Rune Kristoffersen. Rune Grammofon's reputation for lovingly issued experimental electronic music, jazz, and improvised music by Norwegian artists has grown over the years with its artists being featured heavily in magazines such as The...
, 2000) along with organist and ethnomusicologist
Ethnomusicology
Ethnomusicology is defined as "the study of social and cultural aspects of music and dance in local and global contexts."Coined by the musician Jaap Kunst from the Greek words ἔθνος ethnos and μουσική mousike , it is often considered the anthropology or ethnography of music...
Sigbjørn Apeland on the harmonium
Harmonium
A harmonium is a free-standing keyboard instrument similar to a reed organ. Sound is produced by air being blown through sets of free reeds, resulting in a sound similar to that of an accordion...
, brother Torbjørn Økland
Torbjørn Økland
Torbjørn Eirik Økland . Is a Norwegian musician. Together with Øyvind Staveland he was the founder of the Norwegian band Vamp.-References:...
on guitar, Pål Thorstensen on bass and vocalist Åsne Valland Nordli. Bris, a recent recording ("Breeze," Rune Grammofon
Rune Grammofon
Rune Grammofon is a Norwegian record label founded in 1998 by Rune Kristoffersen. Rune Grammofon's reputation for lovingly issued experimental electronic music, jazz, and improvised music by Norwegian artists has grown over the years with its artists being featured heavily in magazines such as The...
, 2004) which featured his own compositions, was a collaboration with Sigbjørn Apeland, Mats Eilertsen on bass, Per Oddvar Johansen on drums and Håkon Mørch Stene on percussion. Portions of the recording were Økland's music for Jon Fosse
Jon Fosse
Jon Fosse is a Norwegian author and dramatist.Fosse was born in Haugesund, Norway and currently lives in Bergen. He debuted in 1983 with the novel Raudt, svart . His first play, Og aldri skal vi skiljast, was performed and published in 1994. Jon Fosse has written novels, short stories, poetry,...
's play Melankolika, a play based on the tragic life of the artist Lars Hertervig
Lars Hertervig
Lars Hertervig was a Norwegian painter. His semi-fantastical work with motives from the coastal landscape in the traditional district of Ryfylke is regarded as one of the peaks of Norwegian painting.-Background:...
(1830-1902).
As conductor
Conducting
Conducting is the art of directing a musical performance by way of visible gestures. The primary duties of the conductor are to unify performers, set the tempo, execute clear preparations and beats, and to listen critically and shape the sound of the ensemble...
at the Ole Bull Academy for six years, Økland organized Concerts Norway
Concerts Norway
Concerts Norway was established in 1967 on the initiative of the Arts Council Norway , with the main purpose described as follows: "Concerts Norway should do living music of high artistic quality accessible to all people in the country." The organization had its opening concert in Hammerfest...
, an initiative to regularly perform quality music on a very intensive schedule throughout Norway. He collaborated on several recordings with jazz musician Christian Wallumrød's ensemble and, with Berit Opheim
Berit Opheim
Berit Opheim Versto is a Norwegian singer, known for her interpretations of folk music.She studied at Bergen Musikkonservatorium and Norges Musikkhøgskole , and has worked since 1992 for the Ole Bull-akademiet in Voss, as well as engagements at NTNU and Norges Musikkhøgskole.Opheim was the front...
(vocals) and Bjørn Kjellemyr (bass), recorded for the trio BNB. Økland has also played on CDs issued by Benedicte Maurseth, Knut Hamre, Kari Bremnes
Kari Bremnes
Kari Bremnes is a Norwegian singer and songwriter.She got an M.A. in language, literature , history and theater studies from the University of Oslo, and worked as a journalist for several years before deciding to dedicate herself to music full time.In 1987 she received the Spellemannprisen for the...
, Alf Cranner, Karoline Krüger
Karoline Krüger
Karoline Krüger is a Norwegian singer-songwriter and pianist. She was born on 13 February 1970 in Bergen and is today married to another familiar Norwegian singer, Sigvart Dagsland...
and Hans Fredrik Jacobsen
Hans Fredrik Jacobsen
Hans Fredrik Jacobsen is a Norwegian musician and composer, based in Tolga.Jacobsen is known for his work together with his partner Tone Hulbækmo and with the medieval music group Kalenda Maya, as well as his concert and studio music on a range of instruments: flute, diatonic button accordion,...
.