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 also appeared on several occasions at the North Sea Jazz Festival in various 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. This year, for the first time he is bringing his own group Gard Nilssen’s Acoustic Unity to Rotterdam. 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.
