Release date: 10 June 2016

Eyolf Dale Piano

Per Zanussi Bass

Gard Nilssen Drums

André Roligheten Saxophone & Clarinet

Hayden Powell Trumpet

Kristoffer Kompen Trombone

Rob Waring Vibraphone

Adrian Løseth Waade Violin

Although this is his fifth album as a leader since he burst onto the Norwegian scene in 2008, it was with Daniel Herskedal, the innovative tuba player, that Eyolf developed an international profile. He played on Daniel’s Edition release Slow Eastbound Train (2015) and now with Wolf Valley Eyolf Dale has brought together eight of the finest musicians from the vibrant Norwegian jazz scene to create an album of subtle grooves, beautiful melodies and rhythmic interplay.

On Wolf Valley Eyolf perfectly blends musical colour, dynamics, melody and rhythm. Despite having an octet at his disposal, his compositions extend beyond the usual limitations of the eight players. He uses the palette of vibraphone, violin, saxophones and trumpet to create a vibrant, colourful and fresh perspective on the sound of the octet – the composer’s group par excellence – providing the range and colour of a big band with the dexterity and speed of thought of a quartet. Historical examples include the groups that Mingus, Miles and Gil Evans put together from the 1940s and 50s when they wrote the ground rules of modern jazz. The octet is the perfect instrument for Dale’s compositional skills – demonstrating beyond doubt that this exciting pianist is ready to become a significant figure in European jazz.

His previous solo albums have demonstrated a steep progression in skill and ambition and have reached a pinnacle in Wolf Valley. Eyolf has a strong classical technique allied to a large sonic soundscape; he’s equally at home with sweeping runs utilising the whole dynamic range of the piano as with introspective, spacious chords. His music is bold, inventive and always seems to take the listener just where he or she wants to go!