International Anthem + Hideout Present: Junius Paul Collective / Kiara Lanier / Gard Nilssen / DJ King Hippo

Born and raised Chicago bassist JUNIUS PAUL, cornerstone rhythmist for world class leaders such as Makaya McCraven, Roscoe Mitchell, and the Art Ensemble of Chicago

Kiara Lanier
Singer, writer and educator from Chicago, Illinois.

Gard Nilssen

If you ask the names of the most prominent and sought after jazz- and improvised music drummers in Norway, you can be sure to find Gard Nilssen on that list.

Anywhere you turn, he’s there, either as a sideman (Team Hegdal, Cortex, Lord Kelvin, Zanussi 5 or Susanne Sundfør) or leading and co-leading a good number of acclaimed groups (Bushman’s Revenge, Puma, sPacemoNkey or Astro Sonic), some going to the absolute frontier territories of jazz, rock and electric experimentalism.

There is a good chance that jazz fans have already seen Gard Nilssen play, given that he is one of the most in-demand drummers from Norway’s jazz and improv scene. He has appeared on several occasions at in various world renown jazz- and rockfestivals throughout the world in different lineups. Nilssen has played in the rhythm section – and been the leader – of various groups at the cutting edge of jazz, pop and experimental electronics.

For now, the focus is on his own group Gard Nilssen’s Acoustic Unity. The other members of the trio are sax player André Roligheten and bassist Petter Eldh. Roligheten, who plays in both pop bands and jazz orchestras, is famous for the way in which he always weaves new melody lines and rhythms into his improvisations. Eldh is known, among other things, for his work with Peter Evans and Tobias Delius. He has a flexible style that he says is influenced by Charlie Parker, Peter Brötzmann and Dr. Dre. The group’s debut album Firehouse was widely acclaimed.