Atle Nymo -Tenor Saxophone/Bassclarinet
Mathias Eick –Trumpet
David Thor Jonsson -Piano
Ole Morten Vågan -Bass
Håkon Mjåset Johansen - Drums

MOTIF was founded in the fall of -99 by OMV, and have since that time been working hard with the creation of their own group sound. In that process, writing their own material has been an important part, something that led to Vågan’s recevial of the NOPA (Norwegian Composers Association) price for young composers during the Molde international jazzfestival 2000. Their music is inspired by various peers, ranging from Miles Davis to Kim Hiortöy, and is often described as a hybrid between the afro-american rythm heritage and european lyricism. The members all studied at Trondheim conservatory’s jazz department, and are currently working as freelance musicians in various bands.

Since it’s founding, MOTIF has appeared on a variety of Norwegian and foreign festivals and clubs, f. ex. Copenhagen Jazzfestival 2001, where they recevied the award Young Nordic Jazz Comets 2001. The jury’s statement read; ”..their music was captivating troughout the hole set.. The band showed great musicality backed up by an array of brilliant compositions and arrangements.”
And after the release of their first record in spring 2004 a rewiever from the BBC stated: “an incredibly good record that ranks with anything coming out of the rest of Europe, or anywhere else for that matter…..” Always focusing on the groove, MOTIF sets their pride in giving their audiences an experience with next-to-telepathic interaction, from in-the-pocket energy explotions to fragile ballads!

About the musicians:

Atle Nymo
(b. 1977) From Bodø.
In addition to his own quartet and other bands like Espen Rud`s Rudlende, Atle is a much appreciated sessionmusician/soloist, for example with Pat Metheny during the Molde Jazzfestival 2001. Nymo`s qualyties as a saxophone player makes him a sought-after labourer for bandleaders across all of Norway; including big bands led by Hector Bingert, Erlend Skomsvold, a soon-to-be-released record with Roger Kellaway, and Dee Dee Bridgewater. Nymo is inspired by musicians like Sonny Rollins, Iain Bellamy, John Coltrane and Norwegian Knut Riisnæs.

Mathias Eick
(b. 1979) From Hof, Vestfold, is also a member of Norwegian electronica comets Jaga Jazzist, has worked with pop and rock acts like Motorpsycho and Big Bang. Eick has toured the most of Norway the last years, playing with jazz bands like Erlend Skomsvolls project with Chick Corea and occational gigs with Trygve Seim Orchestra. His main influence is Clifford Brown, who along with Miles Davis and Chet Baker has played a big part in Eick’s musical journey.

Ole Morten Vågan
(b. 1979) From Brønnøysund, has on the Norwegian jazzscene made a strong impression as an outstanding composer/arranger and bass player. His well-articulated bassplaying makes him an appreciated player i various constellations, notably with pioneer Bugge Wesseltoft. He has played with musicians like Roger Kellaway and Hal Galper, and is a part of the thriving new jazz community in Norway. Among his inspirators you’ll find Mingus, Miles and composers like Django Bates

David Tor Jonsson,
(b. 1978) from Akranes, Island, spent a year studying in Trondheim, and during that year showed himself to be an irreplacebel piece in the city’s jazzscene. When he’s not touring Norway, he playes with islandic musicians, amongst; Oskar Gudjonsson and Joel Paulsson. David released his own album “rask” in 2003, and is said to be most promising new islandic pianist in many years. In the rewiev @ BBC for “Motif”, rewiever Peter Marsh named him “a hyperactive Andrew Hill”. We all agree.
He is inspired by pianists such as Keith Jarrett, Jacky Terrason and Sten Sandell.

Håkon Mjåset Johansen
(b.1975) from Trondheim.
Has been titled "young jazzmusician of the year" 1998.
During the festival in Avignon his band won the "Avignon Jazz Contest '00". Håkon also plays in a variety of acoustic jazzbands and big bands, for example Come Shine, Mingus Ahh!Uhm!, Urban Connection, (who won the norwegian Grammy 2001 for its debut ), Trondheim Jazzorkester featuring Chick Corea, all of which are recording groups. He is also one of the very few norwegian musicians who holds a state-financed lifetime engagement.