Jon Balke

Norwegian pianist and composer Jon Balke is an avant-garde-leaning musician with a bent toward mixing stylistic influences, including contemporary jazz, post-bop, rock, folk, world, and classical. Balke has worked on numerous musical projects across Europe, Africa, India, and the U.S. During the early 1980s, he established a reputation as a composer, writing for theatrical productions, art exhibitions, and chamber groups while composing extensively for jazz groups ranging from small ensembles to big bands -- often unorthodox with their instrumentation. His eight-piece Magnetic North Orchestra existed between 1992's Further and 2004's Diverted Travels. Its uncommon instrumentation: three string players, two trumpets, two saxophones, and keyboards -- sets them apart. Since 2005's Statements he has also led the percussion-based outfit Batagraf, whose Delights of Decay appeared in 2015. He also leads Siwan, an international ethnic music ensemble. Their albums include a prize-winning self-titled debut in 2009, 2017's Nahnou Houm, and 2022's Hafla.