Marius Neset

Lion was written for the Trondheim Jazz Orchestra. Its composer, saxophone player Marius Neset, was awarded the 2011 JazZstipendet scholarship at the Molde International Jazz Festival. The scholarship involves a commissioned work to be written for the following year's festival. Lion consists of eight sections, some named after animals, others evoking cosmic associations, like Golden Xplosion or Sacred Universe. The music springs from the core of jazz, performed however with an unusual nerve and authority. Neset’s writing is idiomatic yet challenging for the instruments in a way that combines power and elegance, and which makes Lion's lineup of 13 musicians sound like a much larger group. At the same time, this chamber format allows for smooth shifts between melody and free improvisation, solos and orchestra. The arrangements stretch and challenge the performers technically and artistically. The work has toured festivals throughout Norway and has recently been released as a CD.