ABOUT
Martin Nodeland is an acclaimed guitarist, composer, and bandleader from Norway. He has established himself as a significant figure in the Norwegian jazz scene, garnering praise worldwide for his distinctive sound. Deeply rooted in the American jazz tradition, spanning the bop era to contemporary influences, Nodeland's approach to improvisation is both modern and innovative. His playing is characterized by its melodic complexity and accessibility, qualities that also resonate in his growing body of original compositions.
Born and raised in Stokke, Martin relocated to Stavanger after high school to pursue his studies, eventually settling in Oslo. During his master's program at the Norwegian Academy of Music, he launched two projects that led to his first and second albums. His debut album, Debut (2019), showcased a confident and intricate neo-bop quintet performing original works alongside a few standards. Just a year later, he released Origins (2020), an ambitious collection of original compositions performed by an eleven-piece ensemble.
As a performer, Nodeland has collaborated with a diverse array of artists, including jazz heavyweights like Will Vinson, Nduduzo Makhathini, Petter Wettre, Olga Konkova, and Tore Brunborg. He has contributed to ensembles such as OJKOS, Ensemble Ernst, and Orkester 20:20, showcasing his versatility and musicality.
Recently he recorded his next album with Martin Nodeland Quartet and the great saxophonist Will Vinson, which can be expected to be available in 2025. Nodeland's work has received accolades from critics, with comments highlighting his compositional skills and technical prowess:
“Already during the first track, Ballard, he reveals himself as a competent composer and a guitarist with flair, harmonic understanding, and technique that complements his musical ideas exquisitely.”
– Petter Wettre
“Origins is a beautiful album, and Martin Nodeland, born in 1993, is a performer to watch.”
– Julian Maynard-Smith (London Jazz News)
"...Nodeland himself, somewhere in his twenties, sounds killing. There is a wonderful flow in his playing, it's creative and technically brilliant." - Espen Løkeland Stai (Dagsavisen)
