Jan Gunnar Hoff

Jan Gunnar Hoff Norwegian jazz pianist and composer. Born in Bod?, Northern Norway 1958. Hoffs background includes classical piano, progressive rock and jazz. His career as a jazz musician started in 1976 with piano trio and continued as a backing musician for drummer Jon Christensen and other jazz artists at local clubs. Professional musician from 1979. Toured with Arild Andersen and Nils Petter Molv?r in 1982. In 1987 Hoff participated in an all star Norwegian combo presenting Jan Garbarek's new composition for the Federation of Norwegian Jazz musicians, FNJ.

In 1992 Jan Gunnar Hoff made a formal debut concert at the Harstad festival in Northern Norway, presenting compositions for piano trio and percussion, in shape of a suite in 4 movements. Hoff's debut was probably the first jazz related concert of this kind and resulted in ecstatic acclaim from the audience and critics. His Harstad suite formed the concept of first solo recording ?Syklus?, which included drummer Audun Kleive, saxophone player Knut Riisn?s and bassist Bj?rn Kjellemyr. From 1995 tenorplayer Tore Brunborg has fronted the ?Jan Gunnar Hoff Group?, with extensive touring in Norway and Scandinavia. Major band events include: Vossajazz, Norway 1995. Molde International Jazzfestival and Oris London Jazzfestival 1996. Stavanger and Bergen festivals 1998. Concerts in Paris november 2000. Collaboration with Pat Metheny, Molde 2001.

Jan Gunnar Hoff has composed works for chamber orchestra, choir and other settings, in addition to jazzcompositions for his three solo recordings. He has been engaged as a regional musician in Northern Norway with "Trio Nord" backing such artists as John Surman and Karin Krog. He has worked extensively as a music teacher and instructor on different levels. Hoff has done spontanous duo sessions with piano giants like Chick Corea and Joanna Macgregor. Bandprojects with drummers Kenwood Dennard 1999 and Martin France 2000.

Hoffs latest projects includes a tour with C?cilie Norby and Lars Danielsson october 2004 and his major piece for Vossajazz 2005, "Free flow songs" featuring Maria Joao.

http://www.jangunnarhoff.no/