Daniel Herskedal is a musician and composer of extraordinary ability who is pushing the boundaries of his instrument to the limit.
The Norwegian composer and musician is celebrated for his unique blend of sonorous beauty and sound mastery. With a style that fluidly navigates between the realms of jazz and classical composition, Herskedal stands out for his emotive intensity, virtuosity, and an unparalleled ability to push his instruments, particularly the tuba, to their limits. His talent for crafting cinematic landscapes in music is evident in his elemental trilogy of albums – ‘Slow Eastbound Train,’ ‘The Roc,’ and ‘Voyage.’ This cinematic flair has also led him to contribute stunning arrangements for film soundtracks, notably his arrangement of “San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair)” for the 2019 film “The Last Black Man in San Francisco,” produced by Brad Pitt, and later used in Coca Cola’s ‘Open Like Never Before’ global advertising campaign.
Herskedal’s extensive work includes commissions and performances with prestigious groups like the BBC Concert Orchestra, the Royal Norwegian Navy Band, and collaborations with the Russian Patriarchate Choir of Moscow. His collaborative project with Marja Mortensson won them the Norwegian Grammy in 2019. In 2021, he further solidified his reputation by winning The Ambies Award for Best Original Score and Music Supervision for the podcast 9/12.
Renowned for his melodic resonance and dynamic compositions, Herskedal’s music is alive with breath and vitality. His latest album, ‘A Single Sunbeam,’ is a testament to his evolving artistry. This album, featuring collaborations with Marja Mortensson on vocals, Ola Kvernberg with strings and electronics, and Helge Andreas Norbakken on drums, represents Herskedal’s most ambient work to date. It establishes a profound connection with the sound of his previous album, ‘Call for Winter,’ expanding upon its themes and styles. ‘A Single Sunbeam’ showcases Herskedal’s gift for layering tuba and bass trumpet, creating a mesmerising and sublimely beautiful soundscape that has earned high praise and admiration from both fans and critics commending the album for its grand, cinematic quality, nuanced harmonics, and atmospheric textures.
‘Though there is a grand, cinematic quality to these melodic tunes, Herskedal has the poet’s feel for nuance, resulting in ravishing harmonics, infectious rhythmic mantras, and atmospheric textures. An impressive work from a singular musician, the tuba has never sounded this cool.’ ALL ABOUT JAZZ
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