Frode Kjekstad - In Essence (2019) [Hi-Res]

The internationally recognized and critically acclaimed jazz guitarist Frode Kjekstad from Norway is out with a new album! This time in the legendary trio format. This time only with original material. And: this time with Norwegian musicians!

After previously having recorded with living jazz legends as Dr. Lonnie Smith, Eric Alexander and Byron Landham in his recordings done in New York, he now has brought his childhood friend and superb bass player Frode Berg, and the amazing drummer Magnus Sefaniassen Eide to a studio in Sandvika, Norway.

The result is the album “Frode Kjekstad: In Essence”!

This album is challenging the boundries of “jazz guitar as we know it” in different directions, always without changing genre, and with a crystal clear reference to history! With a charismatic, extrovert and virtuoso style so rare in present day jazz guitar, Frode Kjekstad is reaching towards a broader audience, with strong melodies, chilling rhythms, deep groove and heartfelt love for this music.

The trio is bursting with pure joy of playing together, almost jumping out of the speakers to grab you by the neck, in this magic session.

Joyful energy and musicality, all beautifully dressed up in a modern sound production, reaches beyond the boundaries of genre, and schould be of great to joy to any music lover, no matter what musical references one might have.

Frode Kjekstad was called “A young genius with perfect sense of time and rhythm” by Frank Forte (Just jazz guitar Magazine) and producer Joe Fields called him “the new Pat Martino”!

This album is another brick in the wall that makes the fundament for Frode Kjekstad as one of our times strongest names in jazz guitar.

Frode Kjekstad, guitar
Frode Berg, bass
Magnus Sefaniassen Eide, drums