Norwegian pianist and composer Espen Berg (b. 1983) is a modern day impressionist, seamlessly blending figurative and non-figurative styles in his spontaneously composed music, with an unsurpassed virtuosity and flow. His solo albums have been praised by audience and critics all over the world, earning top ratings in All About Jazz, UK Vibe, VG and Nettavisen, and an Editor’s Choice remark in Jazzwise, with Stuart Nicholson writing that «if the solo piano concert lost its main storyteller in recent times, then there is a voice in Norway that offers a different, but equally compelling narrative».

Espen has been touring around the world since 2003 and released 15 albums as a leader. His trio, Espen Berg Trio, is frequently visiting Asia, and has sold out concert halls in Tokyo, Kyoto, Guangzhou, Mumbai and Athens, in addition to famous clubs like Ronnie Scott’s in London. Espen Berg Trio’s third album was listed as one of the best albums of 2019 in Downbeat (US), and the trio has been named «one of the best trios in existence today» by Jazz Journal (UK).

Espen was appointed to official Steinway Artist in 2023 and was awarded Norway’s largest jazz grant in 2016. He has written commissioned works for Trondheim Jazz Orchestra, and for many leading Norwegian jazz festivals, such as Molde Jazz Festival, Jazzfest in Trondheim and Oslo Jazz Festival. He has collaborated with artists such as the Trondheim Jazz Orchestra, Seamus Blake, Silje Nergaard, Mathias Eick, Hildegunn Øiseth, Marius Neset and Daniel Herskedal.

Photo: André Løyning