Karl Seglem

Norway native Karl Seglem pursues an expansive musical path as saxophonist, composer and producer. Though rooted foremost in jazz, he maintains a profound connection to Norwegian folk traditions and frequently draws upon them as the foundation for new works. He entered the world in Årdalstangen in 1961 and later pursued structured studies at Voss Folk High School. Upon completing his education he collaborated onstage with vibraphonist Arvid Genius, pianist Knut Kristiansen, guitarist and poet Kenneth Sivertsen, and additional musicians. His first solo recording, Poems for Trio, appeared in 1988 and was succeeded by Sogn-A-Song in 1991, Rit in 1994, Spir in 1998 and Tya - Frå Bor Til Bytes in 1999. From the 2000s onward he has issued a consistent series of well-received recordings—New North (2004), Urbs (2007) and Ossicles (2010) among them—that integrate such indigenous Norwegian instruments as the Hardanger fiddle and bukkehorn (ram’s horn) with present-day compositional approaches, spontaneous improvisation and electronic elements. In 2014 Seglem issued Som Spor, an album that incorporated a piece originally commissioned for the 2012 Vossa Jazz international music festival.