Jazz
Norway
Jon Balke
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About Jon Balke
Hometown
Furnes, Norway
Born
June 7, 1955
Genre
Jazz
Norwegian pianist, bandleader, and composer Jon Balke mixes stylistic influences ranging from contemporary jazz, post-bop, and rock to folk, world, and classical. Balke has worked across Europe, Africa, India, and the U.S. During the early 1980s, he composed for theatrical productions, art exhibitions, and chamber groups while simultaneously composing for jazz ensembles of all sizes. His eight-piece Magnetic North Orchestra existed between 1992's Further and 2004's Diverted Travels. Its uncommon instrumentation -- three strings, two trumpets, two saxophones, and keyboards -- set them apart. Since 2005's Statements, he's led the percussion-based outfit Batagraf, whose Delights of Decay appeared in 2015. In 2016 he issued Warp, the first in a series of experimental solo piano offerings. Balke also leads Siwan, an international music ensemble. Their albums include a self-titled debut in 2009, 2017's Nahnou Houm, 2022's Hafla. Following 2020's Discourses, a second experimental piano album, he released a third, Skrifum, in 2025.
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