BALLROGG

BALLROGG (BLGCD003)

We are very proud to present our third release: the Norwegian duo Ballrogg´s self titled debut album. Ballrogg is Klaus Ellerhusen Holm on alto saxophone and clarinet, and Roger Arntzen on the double bass. It is a true joy to hear two accomplished and daring young players interpret classics from the free jazz/ avantgarde repertoire, including works by Eric Dolphy, Jimmy Giuffre and Ornette Coleman. Three songs are composed by the band members them selves. The transparency of the duo format gives the music a rare purity, and really makes the quality of the songs shine through. Exploring yet lyrical, this music is fresh, challenging and strikingly beautiful.

Klaus Ellerhusen Holm (sax, clar) is leader of his own group Klaus Holm Kollektif, which was awarded "Yong Nordic Jazzcomets 2003" under the name Megatsunami. He is also known with Der Fuchs and the Norwegian version of Ingebright Håker Flaten Quintet. Besides touring festivals and jazzclubs in several countries he´s alsoplaying free-improvised music with Murmur and the Ståhl/Strid/Eriksson/Holm Quartet.

Roger Arntzen (double bass) is known from the piano trio In The Country, who was awarded "Young Jazz Musicians Of The Year 2004" in Norway. This trio has released two albums on the Norwegian cult-label Rune Grammofon to much acclaim. He is a regular with Shining-leader Jørgen Munkeby with the quartet Damp and has teamed up with Chrome Hill-drummer Torstein Lofthus who makes two thirds of Håvard Stubø Trio. He has also worked with downtown NYC icon Marc Ribot and pedal-steel guitarist Bob Hoffnar.