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 (Honest John, Large Unit) and double bassist Roger Arntzen (In the Country, Chrome Hill). Initially identified by a captivating approach exploring the music of Jimmy Giufree 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 (Huntsville, Dans les Arbres) 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)
"On Cabin Music the duo has become a trio with the addition of Ivar Grydeland (Huntsville, Les Dans les Arbres), and his work on guitar, banjo, and pedal steel exerts a huge impact on Ballrogg’s sound. Arntzen continues to provide the music’s pulse and backbone, with crisp, articulate lines and a warm, woody tone; the other two musicians alternate between intricate, interwoven ensemble patterns and terse soloistic passages. Some pieces on the new album are episodic—”Sliding Doors” traipses through multiple moods, tempos, and textures—and others, such as “Swedish Country” (which you can check out below), feel more sustained and unified even as they drift from idea to idea. Thanks largely to Grydeland’s patient but liquid playing, I’m reminded of the great Austrian trio Trapist—who release their first album in seven years, The Golden Years (Staubgold), on June 15—even though Ballrogg lacks a drummer. Ellerhausen Holm contributes electronics and field recordings as well as his usual alto saxophone and clarinet; the beautiful long tones, frictive pops, and electronic-sounding swoops he can create with his reeds blend wonderfully with Grydeland’s guitars." - Chicago Reader, Peter Margasak (USA)
