Norwegians have a penchant for melodic jazz pianists. Tord Gustavsen and Helge Lien has had success in the genre, and now Espen Eriksen is the next up-and-coming pianist in this field.

Espen Eriksen trio is still a relatively new piano trio, but has taken the first steps towards becoming one of the truly great jazz names in this country. With strong songs and a great audience appeal, they have found an expression that is easy to like. In 2010 they released the debut album "You had me at goodbye" on the Rune Grammofon label. The album is still picked up by the music editors around the world, and Espen Eriksen trio receives praise and positive attention.

Espen Eriksen trio stands out in the Norwegian jazz flora with its relatively short and form accomplished songs, and a "less is more" approach the interpretation. The music is lyrical, beautiful and melodic and can be safely placed in a Scandinavian tradition with elements from folk music and melancholy.

Since its debut has Espen Eriksen trio impressed jazz venues such as the Molde Jazz Festival, Maijazz, Vossajazz and many more. It is also exciting things happening in Asia in the wake of the trio's tour in Malaysia in December last year.

The trio's latest album, "What took you so long" was released on Rune Grammofon earlier this year to good reviews. If one of the songs on the album Dagsavisen wrote: "The composition 'Oslo' is a post-July 22 reflection of Eriksen, whose text could have gone straight into the hymn book in the next revision."

Espen Eriksen (piano), Lars Tormod Jensen (bass), Andreas Bye (drums)

Reviews from the British press:

"What Took You So Long is a wonderfully plaintive jazz record, abandoned to the lost art of melodic minimalism, stripped back and beautifully near bare. No smoke and mirrors, just the graceful chemistry of superb musicians at the top of their game" - BBC

"Pianist Eriksen, bassist Lars Tormod Jenset and drummer Andreas Bye create a delicate, ambiently inclined melodic jazz that doesn't try to bash you over the head with a sense of its own importance" - The Independent (4 av 5 stjerner)

"Every note is played with an unyielding enthusiasm and total commitment to the emotional context of the tune." - Spectrum Culture (4 av 5 stjerner)

"The album however closes on a slightly more subdued note with Oslo, a piece composed in the aftermath of the terrorist attack on the Norwegian capital a year ago and the mass killing which followed. In the space of just over three minutes, Eriksen, alone, conjures melancholy and hope in one of his most touching pieces to date and bring this rather superb second album to a fitting end." - The Milk Factory (4.4 av 5)

The group´s second album judiciously avoids the abstract and amorphous noodling that characterises the improvisations of many contemporary piano trios. Instead Eriksen focuses on conveying melody - and does so splendidly via an aching lyricism that brings to mind Bill Evans and Keith Jarrett. Listen out for a daring deconstruction of Barry Manilow´s "Could It Be Magic". - Record Collector 4/5.