Per Oddvar Johansen
Let’s Dance is in-demand Norwegian drummer ’s most mature musical statement yet.Already the veteran of many recordings (including work with Trygve Seim, Christian Wallumrød, The Source, Solveig Slettahjell, Adam Baldych and Vigleik Storaas for ECM, ACT, Jazzland, Universal and others), he has assembled this trio with long standing collaborators pianist Helge Lien and avant-garde saxophonist Torben Snekkestad to record an album of his own compositions.

Although he has recorded on over 80 albums, this is his first as leader. Meditative, beautiful, stately and austere, the songs on Let’s Dance are the product of a finely tuned musicianship, developing along an organic and entirely natural and unique path, each intensely satisfying and fulfilling.

Per Oddvar’s propulsive rhythms underlie each tune but never attempt to dominate. If there is a dance to be danced it’s a tranquil, dignified and sedate dance – a folk dance celebrating a grave and solemn moment.

Oddvar wanted to try and compose music with a rubato (no set tempo), lyrical and open soundscape. To achieve this, he wrote long sheets and taking control over the whole structure and tonal landscape.

This allowed his musicians the possibility to shape and direct the music in the moment. Per Oddvar Johansen was born in Oslo on March 1, 1968. He lived in Asker, and played in several rock bands in Bærum before attending the Jazz Program at Trondheim Music Conservatory. Here, he met among others Trygve Seim and Christian Wallumrød, and a long-lasting cooperation began.

In 1994 they toured with Kenny Wheeler and in 1995 The Source, a band that has left a profound mark on the Norwegian Jazz scene, performed with the rock band Motorpsycho at Kongsberg Jazz Festival.

In 2006 he played in a supergroup with Joshua Redman, Arild Andersen and Bugge Wesseltoft, and in 2011 joined forces with with Trondheim Jazz Orchestra and Dave Holland, both at Moldejazz. He is the recipient of six Spellemannprisen – the Norwegian Grammy.