"The Sound of the North - Norway and the European Jazz Scene", the book about jazz in Norway by the Italian journalist and Europe Jazz Media member Luca Vitali, was recently published in an English translation thanks to the support of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Norsk JazzForum. The official launch of this English edition took place in Olso on the 17 October 2015 at the Victoria - Nasjonal Jazzscene with Rob Young, editor of Jazznytt. Following the launch, another presentation took place on 31 October 2015 at Tampere Jazz Happening in Finland, together with Jan Granlie from Salt Peanuts. Norsk JazzForum, Nasjonal Jazzscene and Tampere Jazz Happening are all members of the Europe Jazz Network. Other presentations will follow around Europe.
The Sound of the North - Norway and the European Jazz Scene is an English translation of Luca Vitali's 2014 book 'Il Suono del Nord', charting the history of Norwegian jazz and its rise to international recognition as a cultural force within Europe and globally.
From the arrival of George Russell in Oslo in the 1960s through the emergence of jazz clubs and festivals, through to the present day, and taking in the cross-fertilisation of the classical and folk worlds 'The Sound of the North' presents Luca Vitali's journey of discovery told through his own experiences and meetings with musicians, writers, journalists, promoters and record labels. It is a view of the Norwegian jazz scene from abroad, and as the curator of the English translation, Fiona Talkington has said: "The author has gone to Norway not to intrude or take away its musical treasures, but to uncover and reveal the riches which are enduring, and the creative spirit of a seemingly quiet and reserved nation which has so much to say and so much to give."
Luca Vitali (Author) is one of the founding members of Europe Jazz Media – a community of jazz journalists, media professionals and broadcasters. He has organised various contemporary music and performing arts events, and since 2010 has worked as one of the artistic curators of Bologna’s Angelica Festival. He collaborated with various Norwegian institutions in Italy (Royal Norwegian Embassy, Royal Norwegian Consulate in Bologna), as well as with Jazzforum, Music Norway, Listen to Norway and Jazznytt.
Fiona Talkington (Editor) is best known as presenter of BBC Radio 3’s award winning ‘Late Junction’ and has presented programmes on BBC radio for over 20 years. She has also contributed to many books and articles about Norwegian music, and curated festivals and series bringing together Norwegian arts with Norwegian and British artists. In 2009 she was awarded the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit for her work with the Norwegian arts scene.
Publisher: Auditorium/ Mimesis International
Website: http://www.thesoundofthenorth.net/
Italian edition: http://www.ilsuonodelnord.com/
