Harald Johnsen

Harald Gill Johnsen (19 March 1970 – 24 July 2011) 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 Harald Johnsen during a concert with Tord Gustavsen Trio in Oslo 2007. (Photo: Martin Stabenfeldt) Johnsen was a graduate of the Jazz program at Trondheim Musikkonservatorium (NTNU, 1989–92). 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 (1997) within The Alf Kjellman Project, and Choice (1998) with Monica Borgen. He has also played a while with Ditlef Eckhoff, releasing an album Impressions of Antibes (1997). In the last years of his life he had great success in the Tord Gustavsen Trio.

Johnsen has participated on several recordings, such as with Ditlef Eckhoff and Eric Reed on the album Impressions of Antibes (1997), and on the Einar Iversen led album Merry Christmas (1999) 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 (2004).

Discography (in selection)

With Tord Gustavsen Trio 2002: Changing Places (ECM) 2004: The Ground (ECM) 2006: Being There (ECM)

With Svein Olav Herstad Trio 1993 Dig (Ponca Jazz Recordings), trio including Torbjørn Engan 1997 Sommerregn (Ponca Jazz Recordings), trio including Per Oddvar Johansen 2006 Suite for Simmons (Jazzaway), trio including Johnsen/Johansen feat. Sonny Simmons live from Festiviteten Hall, Sildajazz in Haugesund (2005), performing a commission in six parts With Silje Nergaard Band 2000 Port of call (EmArcy) 2001 At first light (EmArcy) 2003 Nightwatch (EmArcy)

With Ditlef Eckhoff 1997 Impressions of Antibes (Gemini Records)

With The Alf Kjellman Project 1997: You'll Always Need Friends (Gemini Records)

With Monica Borgen 1998: Choice (Midnight Blue Music)

With Jan Erik Kongshaug 1998: The Other World (ACT) 2003: All These Years (Hot Club Records)

Within "Køhn/Johansen Sextet» 1999: Woman's Got to Have It 2003: Angels

With Einar Iversen & Ditlef Eckhoff 1999: Merry Christmas (Hi-Di Music)

With Erik Wesseltoft Quintet 2004: Con Amor (Normann Records)

With Trond Bjertnes & Frode Barth 1993 Egentlig (Ponca Jazz Records) 1997 JEG (MTG) Duo with Frode Barth 2007: Blue spheres (MTG)

With other projects 1988: Hummer og kanari, Frode A. Danielsen 1996: Østkantblues, Karl Sundby / Erik Wesseltoft 1999: Together, Inge Stangvik / Eivind Sannes