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“I like Knut, I really do... He’s a very disciplined person, an excellent pianist, and a creative artist. His music is very challenging. I’m going over it this morning and I’m glad he sent it to me in advance-it’s good stuff.” Eddie Henderson Trumpet player noted for work with Herbie Hancock, Billy Hart, Joe Locke and others.

“I was driving home from work on Friday when I heard a great piece of music. I've been getting bugged listening to jazz that's all chops and no sensitivity, insight or beauty. This tune had it all. I got home and phoned the station. Knut Haugsoen-Trinidad. Yes, sir. That's a great tune with absolutely fabulous playing. Jim's solo is masterful-in tune, lyrical and beautiful-Stefan's solo-ditto. Yours wasn't too shabby either! In fact, I thought it was Chick Correa, Dave Holland and Gary Burton. No kidding! That's why I phoned the station, because I thought this was uncharacteristically beautiful for those guys' recent output. It's yours and it's terrific. Well done to all involved!” Glen Hall, Professor, Musician Toronto

D“I just finished listening to it [Step and A Half] and loved it. Very approachable!...All of the playing on this CD is fabulous...Great arrangements too...Congratulations on a great CD.” Brent Campbell,Professor, Brandon

“It’s fabulous” Stephen Gazzola Architect, Guelph

“... it's a rich and thrilling set with plenty of great colours. Congratulations! Randal McIlroy, Music Writer/Critic, Winnipeg

“
“I'm pleasantly charmed by the musicality on it, [One Day’s Growth] just to say the least. I did not know Lianne Fournier had such a beautiful voice and the guitar of Larry Roy is simply beautiful, especially those Benson lines on "Blue Skies". The whole album is uniformed and it is really a delight to hear!”
Hans Lévéillé, Jazz guitarist, Arranger Producer, Montreal

" I do like it very much. Not only superb playing but also a great musical concept." Agelo Verploegen Challenge Records, Holland.

Knut's chilhood home (red house in middle) and the lake behind it where he swam, skated, and sailed boats as a boy. Bergen Norway.

E x c e r p t s - f r o m - R e v i e w s

CD ‘Step and A Half’
Musicians: Ingrid Jensen trumpet/fluegelhorn, Mike Murley saxophones, Geoff Young guitar, Jim Vivian bass, Ted Warren drums, Rick Lazar percussion, Stefan Bauer vibraphone, Knut Haugsoen piano/fender rhodes. Engineering by John Bailey and Howard Rissin. Remastered by Andreas Torkler at Sonopress Gütersloh, Germany.

“...This recording features some of the best and most active musicians on the jazz scene today. A fine ensemble of players who come together to make an exciting statement....He is also a composer who should be noticed more by his peers. His ideas and style of composing are refreshing. Keep an ear out for this talent.”
Randy McElligott- Jazzreview.com

"What stands out most for me on this recording is that the tracks are memorable. They are distinctive and beg to be covered by others either live or on record."Shaleem Hoseim

“ ...solid musicians, many of them are leaders in their own right...Haugsoen’s playing and composing are in top form throughout.”
Chris Smith-Winnipeg Free Press Winnipeg, Man. Canada

“... A natural leader, he [Haugsoen}assembles artists who can interpret his plans and make them flow seamlessly through teamwork. The result is a listenable program that we find smooth yet with plenty of substance... Ingrid Jensen, who appears on five tracks, is in fine form... A suave bossa tinge peppers the program.Slower articles, such as "Lagoon," lay out a placid setting with charming soprano sax and vibes ripples. Murley and Bauer weave intricate designs.Haugsoen's loping rhythms and natural melodies form a framework from which he elicits pleasurable jazz magic.”
Jim Santella- Allaboutjazz.com

“... As a composer he is building a bridge between various genres, styles and worlds of sound. He is coloring the music with a highly personal brush. The result is fascinating, warm, full of feeling and refreshingly free from pretense. .. They [One day’s Growth & Step and A Half] have opened the door to mood-filled sound experiences where sensitivity, warmth and feeling is the common denominator for the compositional identity and the instrumentalist’s interpretations... If I dare characterize Haugsoen’s style as an architect of sound and as an instrumentalist, I would describe it as simple, clean and defined. He doesn’t overstate the music with technical embellishment or heavily cliched phrases. As a piano player and composer he conveys a message that is muted while expressing multiple moods, rhythms, sounds and tempos...”
Einar Erickson-Bergen Tidende, Bergen Norway

CD ‘ One Day’s Growth’
Musicians: Lianne Fournier vocals, Sasha Boychouk saxophones, Stefan Bauer vibraphone, Larry Roy guitars, Gilles Fournier and Steve Hamilton bass, Jamey Haddad percussion, Rob Siwik drums, Knut Haugsoen piano. Engineering by Howard Rissin.

“With the ‘Peg pianist at the helm and New York percussionist Jamey Haddad...the artists formally known as Vikrama sail with cool aplomb and deceptively effortless ease through the deep and diverse waters of 12 rhythmically complex and melodically tricky songs, eight of which are Haugsoen’s own.”
The Winnipeg Sun-Winnipeg, Man. Canada

CD ‘Experience’ Live
Musicians: Kenny Rampton, Mike Allen, Ted Warren, Mike Downes, John Rudel and Knut Haugsoen. Recorded live. Engineered by Wieslav Woszezyk.

“...Excellent musicianship exhibited...Stimulating responses by audience to diversity and freshness of the selections.”
Dr. Herb Wong-KJAZ FM, Alameda, CA, U.S.A
Noted jazz jounnalist/historian, critic,
record producer and broadcaster. 1993 inductee Jazz Hall of Fame-.

“Vikrama finds it’s identity somewhere between Herbie Hancock and Miles Davis of the mid 60’s...The live recording process suits the unit well with enlightening solos from trumpeter Kenny Rampton, pianist Knut Haugsoen and tenor saxophonist Mike Allen.”
The Jazz Report, Canada

“...a fine collection of sketches that stimulate the visual as well as the audio senses...”
Yvan Bruner-Music Update, Cornwall Ontario

“Led by local pianist/composer Knut Haugsoen, ‘Vikrama’ is a dynamic jazz ensemble with a cross cultural rythmic base...a live set up allows his talent twinged creations to blossom in the absence of studio induced sterility... ‘Vikrama’ got lucky one cold February night.”
Bartley Kives-Interchange, Winnipeg

CD ‘Hands On’ Unity 105
Musicians: Dave Young, Mkie Downes, Memo Acvedo, Ted Warren, Mike Allen, Larry Roy, John MacLeod and Knut Haugsoen. Recording Engineer/Producer: Jan Erik Kongshaug (Famed ECM engineer/producer who works out of the Rainbow Studio in Oslo-works with the likes of Keith Jarret, Pat Metheny, Jan Garbarek, Chick Corea and more)

“Norway born and raised Knut Eide Haugsoen is presently one of Winnipeg’s most important Jazz composer/performers. He is a gifted pianist with laudable technique. His style bears traces of American influences, but it also reflects the clear beauty of his mountainous homeland...The compositions have a heavy visual atmospheric impact. All in all ‘Hands On’ is a set consistently of a high order, swinging one minute, sensual the next, and occasionally both at the same time. Highly recommended.”
Yvan Brunet-Arts & Entertainment
Clarion Le Rampart, Windsor Ontario, Canada

“The main man here is pianist Knut Eide Haugsoen...The entire program builds on his compositions. His pieces have a strong melodic focus and they move against interesting polyrhythmic lines that draw on Latin-American and African sources. But they are very open and unconventional in structure....It’s good to hear a group with both the confidence and artistic resources to devote itself to challenging new original music.”
Lois Moody-The Ottawa Citizen, Ottawa, Ont. Canada

“...Winnipeg pianist and composer Knut Eide Haugsoen displays uncommon vision and ambition with a debut album from his band ‘Vikrama’...Haugsoen’s nine tunes are clearly the the record’s strongest recommendation-there’s some real inspiration and ingenuity there...”
Mark Miller-The Globe and Mail, Toronto, Ont. Canada

“...Haugsoen displays a feel for latin pulses on some selections, gets off on solos of both introspection and heat on his instrument, and inspires first class expression on the part of his companions. We continue to be impressed with solid action on the other side of the border...”
Royal Stokes-Jazztimes U.S.A

“...Vikrama captured it’s sound on vinyl recently...the eight-year-old group led by pianist composer Knut Eide Haugsoen has been receiving rave reviews for it’s recording debut... Hopefully the city won’t have to wait another eight years for the band’s next release.”
Jason Beck-Music Express

“Blow the dust off your pennies and haul them down to your favorite record shop for a copy of this recording...The band’s live concerts have garnered fulsome praise from local and national critics...The seven man group fires on all eight cylinders and is as impressive in solo work as it is powerful as an ensemble.”
Ross McLennan-The Winnipeg Sun
Winnipeg, Man. Canada

“...The Winnipeg group is led by Norwegian Knut Eide Haugsoen whose piano solos are bright and crisp; his tunes similarly bouyant, perky, often latinized...”
Peter Stevens-Windsor Star Windsor, Ont. Canada

CD ‘Step and A Half’
Musicians: Ingrid Jensen trumpet/fluegelhorn, Mike Murley saxophones, Geoff Young guitar, Jim Vivian bass, Ted Warren drums, Rick Lazar percussion, Stefan Bauer vibraphone, Knut Haugsoen piano/fender rhodes. Engineering by John Bailey and Howard Rissin. Remastered by Andreas Torkler at Sonopress Gütersloh, Germany.

“...This recording features some of the best and most active musicians on the jazz scene today. A fine ensemble of players who come together to make an exciting statement....He is also a composer who should be noticed more by his peers. His ideas and style of composing are refreshing. Keep an ear out for this talent.”
Randy McElligott- Jazzreview.com

"What stands out most for me on this recording is that the tracks are memorable. They are distinctive and beg to be covered by others either live or on record."Shaleem Hoseim

“ ...solid musicians, many of them are leaders in their own right...Haugsoen’s playing and composing are in top form throughout.”
Chris Smith-Winnipeg Free Press Winnipeg, Man. Canada

“... A natural leader, he [Haugsoen}assembles artists who can interpret his plans and make them flow seamlessly through teamwork. The result is a listenable program that we find smooth yet with plenty of substance... Ingrid Jensen, who appears on five tracks, is in fine form... A suave bossa tinge peppers the program.Slower articles, such as "Lagoon," lay out a placid setting with charming soprano sax and vibes ripples. Murley and Bauer weave intricate designs.Haugsoen's loping rhythms and natural melodies form a framework from which he elicits pleasurable jazz magic.”
Jim Santella- Allaboutjazz.com

“... As a composer he is building a bridge between various genres, styles and worlds of sound. He is coloring the music with a highly personal brush. The result is fascinating, warm, full of feeling and refreshingly free from pretense. .. They [One day’s Growth & Step and A Half] have opened the door to mood-filled sound experiences where sensitivity, warmth and feeling is the common denominator for the compositional identity and the instrumentalist’s interpretations... If I dare characterize Haugsoen’s style as an architect of sound and as an instrumentalist, I would describe it as simple, clean and defined. He doesn’t overstate the music with technical embellishment or heavily cliched phrases. As a piano player and composer he conveys a message that is muted while expressing multiple moods, rhythms, sounds and tempos...”
Einar Erickson-Bergen Tidende, Bergen Norway

CD ‘ One Day’s Growth’
Musicians: Lianne Fournier vocals, Sasha Boychouk saxophones, Stefan Bauer vibraphone, Larry Roy guitars, Gilles Fournier and Steve Hamilton bass, Jamey Haddad percussion, Rob Siwik drums, Knut Haugsoen piano. Engineering by Howard Rissin.

“With the ‘Peg pianist at the helm and New York percussionist Jamey Haddad...the artists formally known as Vikrama sail with cool aplomb and deceptively effortless ease through the deep and diverse waters of 12 rhythmically complex and melodically tricky songs, eight of which are Haugsoen’s own.”
The Winnipeg Sun-Winnipeg, Man. Canada

CD ‘Experience’ Live
Musicians: Kenny Rampton, Mike Allen, Ted Warren, Mike Downes, John Rudel and Knut Haugsoen. Recorded live. Engineered by Wieslav Woszezyk.

“...Excellent musicianship exhibited...Stimulating responses by audience to diversity and freshness of the selections.”
Dr. Herb Wong-KJAZ FM, Alameda, CA, U.S.A
Noted jazz jounnalist/historian, critic,
record producer and broadcaster. 1993 inductee Jazz Hall of Fame-.

“Vikrama finds it’s identity somewhere between Herbie Hancock and Miles Davis of the mid 60’s...The live recording process suits the unit well with enlightening solos from trumpeter Kenny Rampton, pianist Knut Haugsoen and tenor saxophonist Mike Allen.”
The Jazz Report, Canada

“...a fine collection of sketches that stimulate the visual as well as the audio senses...”
Yvan Bruner-Music Update, Cornwall Ontario

“Led by local pianist/composer Knut Haugsoen, ‘Vikrama’ is a dynamic jazz ensemble with a cross cultural rythmic base...a live set up allows his talent twinged creations to blossom in the absence of studio induced sterility... ‘Vikrama’ got lucky one cold February night.”
Bartley Kives-Interchange, Winnipeg

CD ‘Hands On’ Unity 105
Musicians: Dave Young, Mkie Downes, Memo Acvedo, Ted Warren, Mike Allen, Larry Roy, John MacLeod and Knut Haugsoen. Recording Engineer/Producer: Jan Erik Kongshaug (Famed ECM engineer/producer who works out of the Rainbow Studio in Oslo-works with the likes of Keith Jarret, Pat Metheny, Jan Garbarek, Chick Corea and more)

“Norway born and raised Knut Eide Haugsoen is presently one of Winnipeg’s most important Jazz composer/performers. He is a gifted pianist with laudable technique. His style bears traces of American influences, but it also reflects the clear beauty of his mountainous homeland...The compositions have a heavy visual atmospheric impact. All in all ‘Hands On’ is a set consistently of a high order, swinging one minute, sensual the next, and occasionally both at the same time. Highly recommended.”
Yvan Brunet-Arts & Entertainment
Clarion Le Rampart, Windsor Ontario, Canada

“The main man here is pianist Knut Eide Haugsoen...The entire program builds on his compositions. His pieces have a strong melodic focus and they move against interesting polyrhythmic lines that draw on Latin-American and African sources. But they are very open and unconventional in structure....It’s good to hear a group with both the confidence and artistic resources to devote itself to challenging new original music.”
Lois Moody-The Ottawa Citizen, Ottawa, Ont. Canada

“...Winnipeg pianist and composer Knut Eide Haugsoen displays uncommon vision and ambition with a debut album from his band ‘Vikrama’...Haugsoen’s nine tunes are clearly the the record’s strongest recommendation-there’s some real inspiration and ingenuity there...”
Mark Miller-The Globe and Mail, Toronto, Ont. Canada

“...Haugsoen displays a feel for latin pulses on some selections, gets off on solos of both introspection and heat on his instrument, and inspires first class expression on the part of his companions. We continue to be impressed with solid action on the other side of the border...”
Royal Stokes-Jazztimes U.S.A

“...Vikrama captured it’s sound on vinyl recently...the eight-year-old group led by pianist composer Knut Eide Haugsoen has been receiving rave reviews for it’s recording debut... Hopefully the city won’t have to wait another eight years for the band’s next release.”
Jason Beck-Music Express

“Blow the dust off your pennies and haul them down to your favorite record shop for a copy of this recording...The band’s live concerts have garnered fulsome praise from local and national critics...The seven man group fires on all eight cylinders and is as impressive in solo work as it is powerful as an ensemble.”
Ross McLennan-The Winnipeg Sun
Winnipeg, Man. Canada

“...The Winnipeg group is led by Norwegian Knut Eide Haugsoen whose piano solos are bright and crisp; his tunes similarly bouyant, perky, often latinized...”
Peter Stevens-Windsor Star Windsor, Ont. Canada