Christian Wallumrød Ensemble: Amplify Many

The leader of a top Norwegian improvising ensemble is shaking up his crew with an injection of electronics and amplification.

The Christian Wallumrød Ensemble started 20 years ago as purely an acoustic group. Featuring some of the most skilful and inventive jazz players in the country right now, they have worked as a chamber group with no amplification or treatments of any kind. Up until now. 

For this performance Wallumrød is installing an advanced instrumentarium where each musician has their own small palette of electronic enhancements. Not only do the musicians alter and transform their individual sounds. Also, the electroacoustic approach is a wholly new experience and will lead to changes in group dynamics and the entire colour of the ensemble’s sound.

Christian Wallumrød is one of Norway’s most distinctive pianists and composers. Working across the fields of jazz, improvised music and composition, he has released material on labels such as ECM and Hubro, and was a former member of the celebrated group Close Erase. Now he pushes his Ensemble into new exploratory territory with a special full evening’s music at Ultima.