With a playful interaction and energetic presence, BLISS Quintet has quickly established itself as a forward-thinking band within the Norwegian jazz community, with open music that draws both modernism and jazz tradition in their own personal direction. The band has developed a brilliant interplay, where two innovative wind players are supplemented by imaginative piano playing, intensely driving drums, and a distinctive banter in the music from the relatively rare instrument acoustic stringless bass guitar.
The debut album Dramaqueen came out on Jazzland Recordings in 2022 and garnered rave reviews. Jazzwise wrote about "an impressive-sounding young Norwegian band for the future". Bliss Quintet also walked away with two international prizes in the 7 Virtual Jazz Club International Contest, respectively Best band under 25 and Special Prize Innovation. The band embarked on a successful tour in support of the debutalbum, playing at venues and festivals across Norway, in addition to touring in countries such as Italy, Denmark and Iceland. This spring the band was selected to play at the international jazz gathering Jazzahead in Bremen, and received reviews such as "BLISS played a terrific state of the art set….with a fantastic interplay they represent the new generation in improvised music. This autumn the band will release their second album “Glasshouse”, with a following release tour in Scandinavia and Europe.
Line-up:
Oscar Andreas Haug – Trumpet
Zakarias Meyer Øverli – Saxophone
Benjamín Gísli Einarsson – Piano
Gard Kronborg – Bass
Rino Sivathas – Drums
