Iain Ballamy & Stian Carstensen

Hearing them live leaves you in absolute awe. With their sheer virtuosity and sense of joy you feel like a kid about to step onto a twinkling, old-fashioned merry-go-round. Listening to this beautifully recorded CD is almost as good.” BBC Music

“Ballamy tears into Honeysuckle Rose like Coleman Hawkins, with accordion pursuing him like a battalion of excited bagpipes. This may be the accordion’s most distinguished moment in jazz to date. I loved the whole thing. ” The Telegraph

Iain Ballamy (UK)
ECM recording artist Iain Ballamy is internationally recognised as a saxophonist and composer. He has been described variously as urbane, original, melodic, freethinking and uncompromising.

Listed in the BBC’s publication ‘100 Jazz Greats’ between Count Basie and Chet Baker his work is contemporary with both strong jazz and classical references and yet un-encumbered by formality and tradition.

Over 3 decades spent transcending musical genres and stereotypes and gradually forging strong and ongoing relationships with musicians around the globe, Ballamy has worked with many cutting-edge figures of today’s contemporary jazz scene.

Stian Carstensen (Norway)
Stian Carstensen began as an accordionist aged nine; initially studying with his father during which time he played on Norwegian TV, radio, and at festivals. He also toured America playing classical music. At the same time he harboured an interest in swing, performing standards with his bassist father.

Aged 15, in a fit of teenage angst, Stian threw away his accordion and began to play electric guitar in a rock band. Fortunately this brief spell bored him considerably and his interest in jazz re-emerged and he formed a trio. He went on to study jazz at Trondheim conservatory, forming his now legendary group 'Farmers Market'.