Norwegian jazz has been enjoying success for some time now with music that allows plenty of room for improvisation. Pixel is an excellent example: a young quartet who play with the drive of indie rockers but still make sure the music is jazz. They improvise with two horns (sax and trumpet) and drums, and bassist Ellen Andrea Wang doubles on vocals. The four sometimes sound restrained and refined, but more often Pixel is driven by an energetic pulse. They are not afraid to combine pop structures with clear melodies and adventurous rhythms. Pixel can be seen as part of the movement in which jazz is given a contemporary twist – music that appeals to a young audience. The quartet has performed successful shows in the Netherlands in the Bimhuis and LantarenVenster, as well as on many stages and festivals elsewhere in Europe. There third album is entitled Golden Years. Those days seem to have arrived already.
