Ballrogg

For some time, and for two released albums, “Ballrogg” (2008) and “Insomnia” (2010) Ballrogg was the name of the duo formed by clarinetist and saxophonist Klaus Ellerhusen Holm and double bassist Roger Arntzen. Initially identified by a captivating approach exploring the music of Jimmy Giuffre and Eric Dolphy and hinting to the non-linear structures patented by indeterminist new music composers like Morton Feldman. Meanwhile, in 2011 and for their next albums “Cabin Music” (2012) and “Abaft The Bram (2017) Ivar Grydeland joined the project. He brought with him a strong country & western influence and the music gradually shifted in direction of the currently described “free chamber Americana”. The Swedish guitarist extraordinaire David Stackenäs (Circadia, SEVAL) has now replaced Grydeland and things got even more complex. Stackenäs has since his debut in 2000 developed a very personal style and due to his versatility he has collaborated with pretty much everybody in the global creative jazz/improv scene. Stackenäs has previously toured with Ballrogg on several occasions, both in Europe and the United States.

“Ballrogg distances itself from traditional improv while shunning excessive extrovertism and friendliness. This allows for considerable friction.”
– Jazz in Norway (NO)

“The ability of the North European scene to reinvent «American classical music» and even to reinvent the American folk roots is legendary, and here we have one precious example.” – Clean Feed (PT)

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Klaus Ellerhusen Holm
Alto sax, clarinet and composition

Holm studied music at the jazz department of the Trondheim Music Conservatory from 2000-2004. Currently located in Trondheim and working in the field of improvised music and the outer regions of jazz. Enjoying and triving in a number of different settings within this environment. In recent years he has been most active within groups such as Large Unit, Ballrogg, Honest John, duo with David Stäckenas and Trondheim jazzorchestra.

Roger Arntzen
Double bassArntzen is known from the In the Country, who started out as an alt. prog jazz piano trio. The trio has released eight albums on labels such as ACT, Rune Grammofon and Grappa, all of them to much critical acclaim. Two of the albums was also nominated for the Norwegian “Grammy”. Arntzen is also a regular member of Trail Of Souls, where In the Country makes the rhythm section and Singer Solveig Slettahjell and guitarist Knut Reiersrud completes the quintet. Arntzen is also a regular together with Motif-saxophonist Atle Nymo with the rock-jazz-quartet Chrome Hill.

David Stackenäs
Guitars (from 2017)
Has toured as soloist and with many different groups in Europe, the USA, Japan and the Middle East. In 2000 David released critics´ acclaimed CD the guitar on swedish label Häpna and has since then released bow on Kning-Disk (2006) and Separator on Found You Recordings (2009). Also plays with LabField (w/ Ingar Zach), SOL SOL, Lina Nyberg Band and Kim Myhr You|Me and has participated as musician and made music for many different theatre- and dance pieces.