Svein Christiansen

Svein "Chrico" Christiansen (6 August 1941 – 25 November 2015) was a Norwegian jazz musician (drums), known from a number of recordings, and central on the Oslo Jazz scene.

Career Christiansen started early to play drums in various bands in the Oslo area like "Hot Saints" (1958–60), "Veitvet musikkskoles storband", and in ensembles led by Oddvar Paulsen, Roy Hellvin, Helge Hurum, Fred Nøddelund and Frode Thingnæs. He played on albums by Einar Iversen, Egil Kapstad, Karin Krog, Terje Bjørklund, Svein Finnerud/Trond Botnen, Terje Rypdal (Odyssey, 1975), Knut Riisnæs, Radka Toneff, Jon Eberson, Laila Dalseth, Øystein Sevåg, Jens Wendelboe, Susanne Fuhr, Dag Arnesen (Renascent, 1984), within "Out To Lunch", and with Bjørn Alterhaug and Helge Iberg.

He also appeared on records in other genres, with "Kjerringrokk" (1975), Svein Finjarn (Soloflight, 1978), "LASA" (Released, 1980), "Stiftelsen" (1981), Odd Børretzen (På den ene siden – På den andre siden, 1976) and Bjørn Eidsvåg (Live i Ny York 1981, Passe gal 1983), Jan Eggum (En natt forbi 1979, 30/30, 2005), Lars Klevstrand (Frie hender, 1981), Lystad/Mjøen, Ryfylke Visegruppe (Forlis, 1983) and Trond-Viggo Torgersen (Harunåsågirebort, 1978).

During the 1970s, he was also in Oslo-Filharmonien, "Radiostorbandet", Kringkastingsorkesteret (1980–2003) and "Per Nyhaug Studioband", and recently in "Willy Andresen Quartet", Einar Iversen Trio, trio with Dag Arnesen and Terje Gewelt, Totti Bergh Quintet, Tine Asmundsen Trio, Quartet and Quintet (1999–), as well as in the band "Bone Thang". He died in Oslo in 2015.

Family Christiansen was married to the actress Sidsel Ryen (born 1943).

Honors Gammleng-prisen (1989) in the class "Studio Musician»

Discography (in selection)

With Karin Krog & Friends 1968: Joy (Sonet)

With Øystein Sunde 1971: Det Året Det Var Så Bratt (CBS) 1976: På Sangens Vinger (Philips)

With Terje Rypdal 1975: Odyssey (ECM Records|ECM)

With Radka Toneff 1979: It Don't Come Easy (Zarepta) 2008: Set It Free - Et Portrett Av Radka Toneff (KRF) 2008: Butterfly (Curling Legs)

With Jan Eggum 1979: En natt forbi (CBS Records|CBS) 2005: 30/30 (Grappa Music)

With Bjørn Eidsvåg 1981: Live i Ny York (Kirkelig Kulturverksted) 1983: Passe gal (Kirkelig Kulturverksted)

With Jens Wendelboe Big Band 1984: Lone Attic (NOPA) 2012: Fresh Heat (Rosa Records)

Within The Norwegian Radio Big Band 1986: The Norwegian Radio Big Band Meets Bob Florence (Odin Records) 1989: The Norwegian Radio Big Band Meets Bill Holman (Taurus Records )

Within "Out To Lunch" – quintet with Bjørn Klakegg, Olaf Kamfjord, Rune Klakegg & Vidar Johansen 1988: Out To Lunch (Odin Records) 1995: Kullboksrytter (Curling Legs), with The Norwegian String Quartet & Sidsel Endresen

Within Svein Finnerud Trio 1994: Travel Pillow (Prisma Records)

With Dag Arnesen & Terje Gewelt – trio 1994: Movin (Taurus Records) 1998: Inner Lines (Resonant Music)

With Tine Asmundsen's «Lonely Woman» 2003: aLive (Hazel Jazz) 2005: Demon's Diversions (Hazel Jazz) 2008: Radegund (Hazel Jazz) 2012: Lovely Luna (Hazel Jazz)

With other projects 1976: På den ene siden – På den andre siden (Bare Bra Musikk), with Odd Børretzen 1981: Frie hender (Mai), with Lars Klevstrand