My latest solo album made it to the year’s best list at Jazzism (NL), and both Jazzwise (UK), Jazz Journal (UK) and Salt-peanuts (NO) have all written some rave reviews.
In the context of the spontaneously conceived, freely improvised solo piano recital, Berg gives evidence of artistic growth as he moves ever closer to achieving the kind of mastery in the idiom that many aspire to, but few achieve. Where this fascinating odyssey ends up will be interesting to see.
Stuart Nicholson, Jazzwise (UK) – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Throughout, he displays creative agility, with a mesmerizing touch and a consistently strong melodic flair. Above all, he lets the music flow, touching on different styles and influences as he creates a coherent performance. Such solo performances are hard on a pianist, but rarely is there any hint here of coasting along while waiting for new inspiration. Berg deserves the acclaim he is getting for his performances
Simon Adams, Jazz Journal (UK)
We are served nine sequences which, if I hadn’t known better, could well have been performed by Keith Jarrett (there are countless solo releases with him from various concerts around, with The Köln Concert being my absolute favourite). For Berg, he stays a bit in the same landscape as Jarrett did in many of his concerts. But still, these are Espen Berg’s own improvisations/compositions, which are not copies of Jarrett or other pianists in the same “street”, but a personal journey into his piano landscape, where he reveals a wealth of positive aspects of his musicianship that should open open even more doors for the good pianist at jazz festivals who is equipped with a good grand piano, which will justify his excellent piano playing.
Jan Granlie, Salt-peanuts (NO)
ESPEN BERG 