Scheen Jazzorkester (SJO)
Scheen Jazzorkester (SJO) had its first concert in Skien in February 2010, with an 18-member big band lineup, including a majority of professional musicians based in the Grenland area.
The orchestra was at first initiated by André Kassen, Rune Klakegg and Jon Øystein Rosland, and the motivation behind the orchestra was to provide professional musicians and composers in the area with challenges and opportunities for artistic growth.
The repertoire for the first concert consisted of compositions by Magne Rutle and Rune Klakegg. The project was successful both musically and socially, leading to the formation of a four-person «board» (Jon Øystein Rosland, André Kassen, Magne Rutle, and Rune Klakegg) to run the orchestra further.
Since then, Finn Arne Dahl Hanssen and Thomas Johansson joined the management group, and Rune Klakegg and Magne Rutle has chosen to part from the orchestra to pursue other projects and work.
SJO now consists of ten (10) set musicians, with guests depending on the various projects. The musicians in the orchestra have different backgrounds, and they come from both jazz and classical music, which creates an open and dynamic expression between contemporary jazz and Nordic sounds.
The orchestra has since 2013 been the regional large professional ensemble of the Southern Jazz Region of Norway, and has succeeded in becoming a major force in Norwegian progressive composer-based ensembles along with similar units in Oslo, Bergen and Trondheim.
SJO has nine (9) critically acclaimed releases in their catalog, they have done extensive touring over the years with their own and others music, which also includes a tour of Norway with the great American award-winning trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire and Norwegian singer Live Maria Roggen.
The band also made a full-length concert video of their project “Logical Fallacies” during the pandemic, which was presented on the Norweigan National TV Broadcaster, NRK, in 2021. The film is still available on their streaming services.
Brief History:
2011: The band launched a composer workshop called "Innsidehandel", where we reduced and refined the orchestra, creating a fully professional jazz ensemble with a contemporary profile. Eight composers from the band contributed to the repertoire, and we played concerts in Mandal, Arendal, and Porsgrunn, again receiving an enthusiastic reception from the audience.
2012: We performed a "revised" version of "Innsidehandel" in February at the Parkbiografen in Skien. In May, we rehearsed "God tro, feil frakk - lydbok for orkester" by Rune Klakegg, which premiered at Parkjazz in Skien in August and was recorded the same month. The CD was released in February 2013.
In September, the project "Norsk Standard" was completed. Six of the musicians in the band arranged their favorites from Norwegian popular music, and Torun Eriksen took on the challenge of reinterpreting well-known melodies. Two gigs, in Mandal and Porsgrunn, and Parkjazz in summer 2013.
2013: The beginning of the year we focused on presenting "God tro, feil frakk." We played in Bø and Skien, twice in Oslo: at Cosmopolite and Det norske teatret (Oslo Jazzfestival). We also created a new collaborative project for all the composers in the band, titled "13 til bords," which was performed at the National Jazz Scene, Victoria Theater, in October.
The major event in autumn was "Onkler," in collaboration with Teater Ibsen. This was Leif Winther's farewell production at the theater, where he participated as both actor and baritone saxophonist. Music was by Guttorm Guttormsen, and texts by Thor Thorsen.
2014: We started rehearsing, touring, and recording "Auduns Univers," a fantastic piece by Audun Kleive that elevated the band to a new level. The band also participated in a big theater piece called «PS 14» at Teater Ibsen and Grenland Friteater in September, where we participated as the house orchestra in various settings.
2015: This year was marked by Magne Rutle's work: his major piece "Blåne" was presented on tour in February and recorded soon after. The CD was released in August 2015 on Grong Records. Rune Klakegg turned 60 in 2015 and was honored with a retrospective concert. The music from this concert was later recorded and released in 2016 with the title "Fjon» on Losen Records.
In autumn 2015, the band also performed Guttorm Guttormsen's full-length commission: "Guttorms reise."
2016: We started of with organizing another version of "Innsidehandel," where several of the band's composers could showcase their work.
In September, it was time for "Commuter Report," Eyolf Dales' commissioned piece for the orchestra. This piece went on tour in Norway, and was recorded in Rainbow Studios in 2018 - with a following release on Losen Records.
In November, we had the premiere of "Tamanoar," the first commissioned piece by our saxophonist Jon Øystein Rosland.
"Tamanoar" was then recorded in January 2017, with a following release on Losen Records.
2017: In April we did release concerts for "PoliturPassiarer," Audun Kleive's commissioned piece that was finally released on CD.
In September we did release concerts for «Tamanoar» by Jon Øystein Rosland
2018: We started working on Thomas Johanssons' first commissioned piece called "As we see it," performing at Kongsberg Jazzfestival and in Bergen. In April 2018, we also had a project with some students from the University of Agder and our own composers: "Insight," with concerts in Hamar and Kristiansand.
2019: The year started off with rehearsals on «As We See It…» with further concerts in Norway on April.
In September we premiered a new commissioned piece by Rob Waring, called "Flokken" This was an intriguing piece that took us further into contemporary music than ever before, with concerts in Norway.
2020:
The pandemic struck in all ill ways as it did, but we managed to record and film Jon Øystein Roslands newest commission, called Logical Fallacies. This was later release on Jazzland Records, and showcased on National TV Broadcaster, NRK, in 2021. The film is still available on their streaming services.
Organization:
The band consists of ten (10) set members, with additional guests on various instruments depending on the composers and/or projects:
André Kassen - saxophones
Guttorm Guttormsen - saxophones, clarinet, flute
Jon Øystein Rosland - tenor saxophone
Line Bjørnør Rosland - clarinets
Finn Arne Dahl Hanssen - trumpet
Thomas Johansson - trumpet
Frøydis Aslesen - trombone
Åsgeir Grong - trombone
Jan Olav Renvåg - bass
Audun Kleive - drums
Scheen Jazzorkester is sponsored by Telemark Fylkeskommune, Arts Council Norway, Sørnorsk Jazzsenter and Skien Kommune.