Since the start in 1997 there have been eight different versions of NU ensemble. A new piece, a new line-up, a new theme – every time.
Previous editions have focused on the Sami culture, Patti Smith, Ligeti, architecture and more.
Right now three versions of NU ensemble are active.
HIDROS 6 – Knockin
Mariam Wallentin vocals; Anders Nyqvist trumpets; Mats Gustafsson saxephones, electronics; Joe McPhee trumpet, tenor sax, space organ; Christer Bothén bass clarinet, guimbri; Agustí Fernández piano, organ; Kjell Nordeson vibes, drums, flexatone, glockenspiel; dieb13 turntables; Per Åke Holmlander tuba; Jon Rune Strøm, Ingebrigt Håker Flaten bass; Paal Nilssen-Love drums
Photo by Sébastien Bozon
For HIDROS 6 – Knockin the inspiration comes from Little Richard. The composition is built on elements of his music and his lyrics – all deconstructed and put together again by this international group of musicians from the worlds of improvised music, free jazz, noise and contemporary music from Sweden, Norway, Spain, Austria and the US.
HIDROS 6 – Knockin was first performed and recorded at Krakow Jazz Autumn 2013 (with Stine Janvind Motland, vocals and Peter Evans, trumpet)
HIDROS 7 – ZAP
Bas Wiegers conduction; Jaap Blonk vocals; Mats Gustafsson, Mette Rasmussen saxes; Ken Vandermark clarinets & saxes; Nate Wooley, Anders Nyqvist trumpets; Hedvig Mollestad, Julien Desprez guitar; Alexander Zethson organ; Sten Sandell keyboards, piano; Ingebrigt Håker Flaten – electric bass; Raymond Strid, Morgan Ågren drums
Photo by Ziga Koritnik
For HIDROS 7 – ZAP the inspiration comes from Frank Zappa. The composition is built on his music and lyrics – rearranged and reused in various forms and structures with free improvisation as a creative glue.
NU ensemble consists of an international group of musicians from the worlds of improvised music, free jazz, noise and contemporary music from Sweden, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, France and the US.
HIDROS 7 – ZAP was first performed at ‘Ai Confini tra Sardegna e Jazz’ in Sant’Anna Arresi in September 2016.
HIDROS 8 – HEAL
Mats Gustafsson saxophones, conduction; Anna Högberg altosax; Susanna Santos Silva trompets; Per Åke Holmlander tuba; Dieb13 turntables; Christof Kurzmann lloopp, voice; Hedvig Mollestad guitar; Massimo Pupillo bassguitar; Gert Jan Prins, Ivar Loe Bjørnstad drums
For HIDROS 8 – HEAL Mats Gustafsson took inspiration from the state of the world. To quote him:
HIDROS 8 – HEAL is an attempt to rise and find the questions about the state of things of the moment.
there is an extreme unbalance on local and global levels at the moment — from ideological, economical, cultural and political perspectives – and we need an equilibrium of some sorts very soon.what can make it all HEAL?
can it HEAL ?
and for how long can it HEAL?
are there more questions to find?
if we can find the questions – we might find the answers. or is it enough with the questions in order to HEAL?
only the next generation can tell. – therefor this piece is dedicated to my 9 year old daughter Leah.
NU ensemble consists of an international group of musicians from the worlds of improvised music, free jazz, noise and contemporary music from Sweden, Norway, The Netherlands, Austria, Italy and Portugal.