Helge Andreas Norbakken


Helge Andreas Norbakken is a Norwegian drummer known for his collaborations with Mari Boine, Jon Balke, Kari Bremnes, Maria Joao, Karl Seglem, Becaye Aw, Miki N'Doye, Jovan Pavlovic, and Anne Wylie. He is married to Dagrun Hjelleset Norbakken.

Career

Norbakken is a graduate of the Jazz program at Trondheim Musikkonservatorium, and is one of the most renowned Scandinavian percussionists. He started going on international venues within Mari Boine Band, and recorded Goaskjinvellja, Lehakastin, Ballvvoslatina, and live Eallin with her, then continued with Maria Joao, Jon Balke, Kari Brenmes, Ayub Ogada and an impressive list of Norwegian and international musicians.
After working with arvmusic on Mari Boine's tours, he recorded and played live with Ayub Ogada, Vladimir Denissenkov, Tiziana Ghiglioni in "La voce del Mondo" and Guo Yue with Shan Qi. Norbakken developed a very original percussions style, based on sound research, hand-made instruments and original timbres merge.
Everything go into strict multirythmical patterns those remember at the same moment Steve Reich, Philip Glass and Doudou N'Dyae Rose works...
In studio he is a master in creating particular structures using tracks and percussions over recordings.

Discography (in selection)

With Frode Alnæs
With Jon Balke
With Mari Boine
With Kari Bremnes
With Jon Hassell
With Maria Joao & Mario Laginha
With Karl Seglem
With Trondheim Jazz Orchestra and Elin Rosseland
With Anne Wylie
With others