Leagus is a Contemporary and Experimental musical duo from Sápmi, Norway, whose music alternates between formal composed parts, open structures, and free improvisation, and ranges from subdued, minimalistic, psalm-like pieces to more Rock-oriented improvised parts.
Consisting of pianist Herborg Rundberg and guitarist Kristian Svalestad Olstad, Leagus was originally formed in 2013 by Herborg, as part of her Masters degree in Rhythmic Music at the Tromsø Conservatory, where Kristian had also received his Masters degree in the same subject two years earlier.
Over the years the duo has worked extensively on finding new, and different interactions between the piano and the guitar, which has lead to the development of a new and progressive kind of musical togetherness. It is a sound that is highly dynamic with musical contrasts playing a big part in their concept.
In 2021 Leagus were commissioned by the North Norwegian Jazz Ensemble to write a piece for a ten-member orchestra. The result was “Flora Eallin” which was composed and arranged by Herborg and Kristian. This led to a tour with the North Norwegian Jazz Ensemble and longtime collaborator and visual designer Torbjørn Thrane Sandnes.
The band unveiled first two singles from the album, Stream and purchase on Bandcamp:
Leagus featuring Nordnorsk Jazzensemble are:
Kristian Svalestad Olstad / Guitars
Herborg Rundberg / Piano
Christer Jørgensen, Arnfinn Bergrabb / Drums
Marianne Halmrast / Bass
Ola Asdahl Rokkones / Tenor & Baritone Saxophone (solo on track 4 & 10)
Sondre A. Kleven / Tenor Saxophone (solo on track 5)
Fred Glesnes / Tenor Saxophone (solo on track 2 & 12)
Frode Larsen, Elina Waage Mikalsen / Vocals
Composed and arranged by Kristian Svalestad Olstad and Herborg Rundberg.
They will do their release show at Jazzahead in Bremen, Germany, on the 28th of April: https://jazzahead.de/en/program/leagus-no/
Selling points:
- Third album from arctic Norwegian jazz duo LEAGUS
- Featuring Nordnorsk Jazzensemble (North Norwegian Jazz Ensemble)
- For fans of contemporary jazz (Nils Petter Molvær, Eivind Aarset, Nik Bärtsch Ronin, Aki Takase) + +
- Digital singles: Hyperion (23/2), Tendril (23/3)
- Release concert at Jazzahead, Bremen, 28.04.23 (https://jazzahead.de/en/program/leagus-no/)
- Tours to be announced
Tracklist:
- Kime
- Flor
- Vann
- Tendril
- Nihkui
- Vind
- Pripyat
- Geo
- Mykorrhyza
- Eallin
- Sol
- Hyperion