Anders Aarum (born 17 December 1974 in Moss, Norway) is a Norwegian jazz pianist, known from numerous albums and international collaborations like Sonny Simmons, Ola Kvernberg, Tine Asmundsen, Sigurd Køhn, Børre Dalhaug, Nora Brockstedt and Even Kruse Skatrud.
Biography
Aarum was educated at Agder Musikkonservatorium, Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, before he headed for Oslo in 1998. His jazz talent impressed the Oslo jazz community, and he was a popular collaborator within several bands, while he continued studying at Norges Musikkhøgskole and graduated with the thesis Stiltrekk som skiller den nordiske jazzen fra den afro-amerikanske. He led his own Anders Aarum Trio to the debut album Lucky strike (2000) accompanied by Mats Eilertsen (bass) and Torstein Ellingsen (drums). It was followed up with Absence in mind (2004), where Ellingsen was replaced by Thomas Strønen. The third album of the Trio, First communion (2006), included Ole Morten Vågan (bass) and Andreas Bye (drums).
Aarum is also involved in FAQ (Fossum-Aarum Quartet) together with the brothers Håvard (saxophone and flute) and Jens Fossum (bass). The drummer Jarle Vespestad is the last but not least member of the crew. F.A.Q. was nominated for the 2007 Spellemannprisen in the class Jazz, for their debut album Frequently Asked Questions (2007). He is also regular pianist in the band Funky Butt. Otherwise, he has collaborated on releases with Per Høglend, Randi Tytingvåg, Sølvi Hansen, Ola Kvernberg, Majken Christiansen, Tine Asmundsen, Sigurd Køhn, Sonny Simmons, Børre Dalhaug, Hilde Louise Asbjørnsen, Jazzmob, Nora Brockstedt and Even Kruse Skatrud. Aarum was awarded the "No-fear Prize" by "Oslo Jazzradio", and is associated with Norges Musikkhøgskole as lecturer in accompaniment.
Honors
"No-fear" Award 2002 by "Oslo Jazzradio"
Discography
As band leader
Within Anders Aarum Trio
2000: Lucky strike (Hot Club) 2004: Absence in Mind (Jazzaway) 2006: First Communion (Jazzaway) 2018 Shakin' Our Souls (Ozella) http://www.ozellamusic.com/en/release/shakin-our-souls-4/ Within FAQ (Fossum-Aarum Quartet) 2007: Frequently Asked Questions (Schmell), recorded in 2004
Collaborations
Within Funky Butt
2001: Whoopin' (Sonor) 2002: The Glove (Sonor) 2005: Big Mama (Schmell) 2007: Shakin' da butt (Schmell)
Within Jazzmob
2001: Pathfinder
2006: Flashbackrecorded live at Moldejazz 2006
Within The Swing Pack
2001: The Sinatra Songbook (Island) 2003: Urban Breeze (Tylden & Co)
With Sonny Simmons
2005: The Traveller (Jazzaway) 2006: I'll See You When I Get There (Jazzaway) 2007: Last Man Standing (Jazzaway)
With Hilde Louise Asbjørnsen
2005: Birdie Blues (Upnorth Discs) 2008: Sound Your Horn (Sweet Morning) 2010: Never Ever Going Back (Sweet Morning) 2011: Divin' at the Oceansound (Sweet Morning)
With other projects
2001: Violin (Hot Club), with Ola Kvernberg
2001: Song for My Father (Hot Club), with Majken Christiansen
2003: aLive (Hazel Jazz), with Tine Asmundsen – recorded in 2002
2003: Reporter (Hot Club), with Majken Christiansen live at Herr Nilsen Jazzclub
2004: Bigbandblast! (Real), within Børre Dalhaug's "Bigbandblast" 2005: This Place (Køhn), within Sigurd Køhn Quartet 2005: Eveneven (Eveneven), within Even Kruse Skatrud's Eveneven Big Band 2005: Christmas Songs (Køhn), with Nora Brockstedt 2006: Midnight (EMI), with Bertine Zetlitz 2006: Let Go (Mudi), with Randi Tytingsvåg 2006: Edvard Grieg in Jazz mood (Universal), within Kjell Karlsen Big Band 2008: My Letter to the World (Nordic), with Hanne Tveter – words by Emily Dickinson 2009: Transformation to Paradise (Jazzaway), within Element – recorded in 2002 2009: Stompin' Feet (Sweet Morning), with Julie Dahle Aagård 2009: Warrior of Light (EmArcy), with Christina Bjordal 2010: Bad Dreams And Good Nightmares (Sweet Morning), with Guro von Germeten