With a playful interaction and energetic presence, Bliss Quintet has quickly established itself as a forward-thinking band within the Norwegian jazz community, following in the footsteps of respected bands such as Atomic and Masqualero. They released their first album, “Dramaqueen” on Jazzland Recordings in Spring 2022. The album received critical acclaim, with Selwyn Harris of Jazzwise (UK) naming the quintet as an “impressive-sounding young Norwegian band for the future”. The band embarked on a successful tour in support of the album, playing at venues and festivals across Norway, and winning the 7Virtual Jazz Competition with the title track “Dramaqueen”. Their victory in the competition led to even more opportunities for the band and they will play in Italy, Denmark and at Jazzahead in spring 2023. The band is set to release a new album in the autumn of 2023 followed by a tour in central Europe and Scandinavia.
The band has its origins in the jazz line at NTNU, and has played at many venues and festivals including the Nasjonal Jazzscene, Dølajazz, Canal Street and Christiania Jazzclub. In 2020, they played on the renowned talent stage Nordic Showcase during the Oslo Jazz Festival and were selected by the festival to be part of their main program in 2021.
The BLISS Quintet has a unique instrumental line-up with instruments such as a quarter-toned trumpet and acoustic fretless bass guitar. These elements play a key role in embuing "Dramaqueen" with a unique musicality, defamiliarising without dominating the sound. Their performances allow all the musicians contribute with intricate compositions and personal touches.
- “Bliss Quintet is populated by five of Norway’s most promising jazz musicians. Their debut album confirms it in every way.” Tor Hammerø, NETTAVISEN (NO)
- “Here’s yet another impressive-sounding young Norwegian band for the future” Selwyn Harris, Jazzwise (UK)
“A good blend of melody and carefree wildness.” - Rob Adams, London Jazz News (UK)
Oscar Andreas Haug – trumpet
Zakarias Meyer Øverli – saxophone
Benjamín Gísli Einarsson – piano
Gard Kronborg – bass
Rino Sivathas – drums
“A good blend of melody and carefree wildness.” - Rob Adams (UK)
”Voted as top 2 best jazz records of the year in Norway’s Ballade”. (NO)
“A fierce improvising group that held my attention throughout.” Peter Slavid, London Jazz News (UK)
“This is already one of the best records this year, I’m so excited for this.” - Torkjell Hovland, JAZZNYTT (NO)
“Here’s yet another impressive-sounding young Norwegian band for the future” Selwyn Harris, Jazzwise (UK)
“Bliss Quintet is populated by five of Norway’s most promising jazz musicians. Their debut album confirms it in every way.” Tor Hammerø, Nettavisen
“The fact that Bugge Wesseltoft and Sten Nielsen at Jazzland Records have taken hold of the band and had the debut album released indicates that the company really has a nose for the young jazz scene and knows how to strike while the iron is hot, because this is a quintet that will be able to put its mark on parts of Norwegian and international jazz life for many years.” - Jan Granlie, SALT PEANUTS (NO)
“The compositions are at times tearfully beautiful and at other times anxiously dramatic. Contrasting, exciting and not least impressive ... especially considering how young these musicians are”. - Trygve Knudsen, Canal Street (NO)
-”This is an intriguing and extremely interesting debut. Bliss Quintet confirms its reputation gained during concerts. It's worth getting acquainted with the album and to follow the band's further activities.” - Jako Pierwsza, Donos Kulturalny (POL)
-”Melodic and microtonal searching, Bliss Quintet cruises its way through all the precarious blind spots of the debut. The composed and the improvised meet each other in a captivating whole.” … “The quintet plays sympathetically and with empathy. Dramaque or not, the music has personality without pushing the listener away with excessive effort.” - Timo Kangas, Lira Musikmagasin (SWE)