An Invitation in 2010 took British saxophonist Alan Wilkinson across the North Sea to tour with 3 of Norway’s brightest young free players, guitarist Kim Johannesen, bassist Ola Høyer, and drummer Dag Erik Knedal Andersen. From the outset the music smouldered with ideas and latent potential before coaxing itself into nerve-jangling intensity. This gig is part of the group’s first British concerts, and follows dates in Scandinavia and Northern England.

ALAN WILKINSON

There can be few more daunting sounds in free music than that of Alan Wilkinson in overdrive, whether the headlong flights of his alto playing, or the beefier heft he gets from the baritone. Often featured lately with bassist John Edwards and drummer Steve Noble ( their CD ‘Live at Cafe Oto’ was among the CDs of the last decade in the Times) he’s also appeared with Derek Bailey, Peter Brötzmann, Chris Corsano, Talibam!, Eddie Prevost, and his trio with Simon Fell and Paul Hession, among others.

KIM JOHANNESEN

Guitarist Kim Johannesen has a speed and dexterity that places him closer to a Joe Morris than Derek Bailey yet with a take on abstraction that’s entirely his own. Based in Oslo his impressive record includes work with Raymond Strid, Ingebrigt Haaker Flaten, John Butcher, Pat Thomas and Roger Turner.

OLA HØYER

Currently resident in Berlin bassist Ola Høyer, like many of the erudite new generation of Norwegian musicians, is equally at home in Jazz, alt Rock and heavy metal. What he brings to free improvisation is an acute musicality and an unfettered approach that is making him increasingly in demand, sharing a strong relationship in particular with Johannesen.

DAG ERIK KNEDAL ANDERSEN

Dag Erik Knedal Andersen is the wild card whose flamboyant, hyperactive, take-no-prisoners approach to drumming place him somewhere between Paal Nillsen-Love and Han Bennink. He is an ubiquitous part of the Oslo and Norwegian improvised music scene having won the title of ’Talent of the Year’ at the Molde Jazz Festival in 2010.