Harald Johnsen


Harald Gill Johnsen was a Norwegian jazz double bassist, known for his contributions in bands like Køhn/Johansen Sextet and Tord Gustavsen Trio, and a series of recordings with such as Sonny Simmons, Sigurd Køhn, Nils-Olav Johansen, Jan Erik Kongshaug, Frode Barth, Per Oddvar Johansen and Ditlef Eckhoff.

Career

Johnsen was a graduate of the Jazz program at Trondheim Musikkonservatorium. He participated in the "two basses event" with the Trygve Seim led Trondheim Art Orchestra later called Trygve Seim Ensemble. He played a key role in a variety of jazz bands, including Nils-Olav Johansen Trio, Christian Belt Trio, Svein Olav Herstad Trio, Jan Erik Kongshaug Quartet and Køhn/Johansen Sextet. He was a member of several bands, including Erlend Skomsvoll's "Hvorfor Ikke?" in 1994, Erik Wesseltoft Quartet from 1995, "Appaloosa Nova" from 1996, and collaborated on the album You'll always need friends within The Alf Kjellman Project, and Choice with Monica Borgen. He has also played a while with Ditlef Eckhoff, releasing an album Impressions of Antibes. In the last years of his life he had great success in the Tord Gustavsen Trio.
Johnson has participated on several recordings, such as with Ditlef Eckhoff and Eric Reed on the album Impressions of Antibes, and on the Einar Iversen led album Merry Christmas by Ditlef Eckhoff. Around the turn of the millennium, he joined Silje Nergaard Band and Tord Gustavsen Trio, which led to international releases. In addition he has played on recordings with, among others Karl Sundby.
Johnsen also played with guitarist and composer Frode Barth since 1984. Their trio TAPE along with drummer Tom Erling Lie, won the Youth Festival, Norwegian final, in 1988. They also released the album, Blue Spheres.
Johnsen got an illness that prevented him gradually from playing actively. He died on 24 July 2011 at the age of 41.

Discography (in selection)

;With Tord Gustavsen Trio
;With Svein Olav Herstad Trio
;*1993: Dig, trio including Torbjørn Engan
;*1997: Sommerregn, trio including Per Oddvar Johansen
;*2006: Suite for Simmons, trio including Johnsen/Johansen feat. Sonny Simmons live from Festiviteten Hall, Sildajazz in Haugesund, performing a commission in six parts
;With Silje Nergaard Band
;*2000: Port of call
;*2001: At first light
;*2003: Nightwatch
;With Ditlef Eckhoff
;1997: Impressions of Antibes
;With The Alf Kjellman Project
;With Monica Borgen
;With Jan Erik Kongshaug
;Within "Køhn/Johansen Sextet»
;With Einar Iversen & Ditlef Eckhoff
;With Erik Wesseltoft Quintet
;;With Trond Bjertnes & Frode Barth
;*1993: Egentlig
;*1997: JEG
;Duo with Frode Barth
;With other projects