Morten Gunnar Larsen - Creole Connections (2014)

Pianist Morten Gunnar Larsen is celebrating 40 years as a musical artist with the release of his ninth solo album, “Creole Connections”. Here the listener is presented with music from Latin America, with special focus on the Brazilian composer of tangos, Ernesto Nazareth (1863-1934). His “Odeon” is as familiar to pianists in Brazil as “The Entertainer” is to pianists in the USA.

Larsen eagerly wishes to make Nazareth’s music more widely known in Norway, and he is the first Norwegian pianist to record works by the composer. The album also features works of Louis M. Gottschalk (1829-1869), originally from New Orleans and called “Chopin of the Creoles”, together with music from Cuba and later tangos of Astor Piazzolla (1921-1992).

Morten Gunnar Larsen (b. 1955) is best known as a performer of classic jazz piano and ragtime. He has distinguished himself with earlier releases such as “Fingerbreaker” on Decca/Universal, and he has received Spellemannsprisen, Norway’s Grammy, and a number of foreign prizes.

Larsen’s first public performance was in 1974, while studying classical piano at the Norwegian Academy of Music. He debuted in Oslo’s jazz milieu, appearing at Club 7 and New Orleans Workshop, among others. Since then he has performed throughout much of the world. “Creole Connections” is Larsen’s first release on the LAWO Classics label.