CONSIDERED ONE of Norway's most prominent and influential contemporary musicians and composers, Christian Wallumrød is a solo artist, band leader, and diverse collaborator, who plays Galway this weekend as part of the Galway Jazz Festival.
Wallumrød released his debut album No Birch in 1996 on ECM Records, opening the way for a string of albums under the Christian Wallumrød Ensemble moniker on the same label, all to considerable critical acclaim. The ensemble's most recent album, Outstairs (2013 ) won the Norwegian Grammy (Spellemannsprisen 2013 ).
He is also part of the French/Norwegian group Dans Les Arbres, with both focusing strongly on improvisation. A more recent project is Brutter, Christian’s collaboration with drummer brother Fredrik. Last year saw the release of Wallumrød's solo album Pianokammer, on Norwegian label Hubro.
He has collaborated with Sidsel Endresen, Close Erase, Audun Kleive, and indie-electro singer-songwriter Susanne Sundfør, and been commissioned to write for chamber groups like BIT20, Håkon Stene, Barolo, and BOA.
The Christian Wallumrød Ensemble will be in concert as part of a double bill with Cuar, in the Mick Lally Theatre, on Sunday October 9 at 8pm, for the Galway Jazz Festival. For tickets see www.gjf16.com
