Torstein Lofthus

Torstein Lofthus (born 10 March 1977) is a Norwegian drummer and composer associated with bands like elephant9, Red Kite, Mathias Eick Band, and the trio Eberson/Zanussi/Lofthus. He was previously a member of the band Shining. Lofthus is a popular studio musician, and is often seen behind the drums in TV shows' house bands, e.g. for "Hver gang vi møtes".

Career Lofthus and Trond Frønes perform with Red Kite at Vossajazz 2016.

Lofthus has had a significant influence on Norwegian music through studio work, live concerts, and teaching at the Norwegian Academy of Music and the University of Agder (Faculty of Fine Arts). Based in Oslo, he now tours Norway and Europe with different bands and artists after finishing his master's at the Norwegian Academy of Music in spring 2006. He plays several genres, well known with both jazz and pop music. He has been the most sought drummer in Norway recent years, if not on tour with Vamp, Jarle Bernhoft, Oslo Gospel Choir, Mathias Eick, Marit Larsen or Odd Nordstoga, he collaborates with Maria Mena, Kurt Nilsen, Torun Eriksen, Bertine Zetlitz, Silje Nergaard, Eivind Aarset, D'Sound, Noora Noor, The Norwegian Radio Orchestra, Jon Eberson and Per Zanussi, to mention a few, both in studio and on stage.

He has worked with Shining, elephant9, Red Kite, Marit Larsen, Maria Mena, Jarle Bernhoft, Chrome hill, Mathias Eick Band, D'Sound, Oslo Gospel Choir, Jørn Øien Trio, Liarbird, Torun Eriksen, Ebersson/Zanussi/Lofthus, Garness, Søyr, Morten Halle, Eivind Aarset, Silje Nergaard, Beady Belle, Damp, Bertine Zetlitz, Kurt Nilsen, Maria Solheim, and Papangu.

Awards and honors 2010: Spellemannprisen in the category Jazz for the album Walk the Nile with Elephant9 2011: Spellemannprisen as Innovator of the Year with Shining 2015: Gammleng-prisen in the category studio musician

Discography

Shining One One One (2013) Live Blackjazz (2011) Blackjazz (2010) Grindstone (2007) In the Kingdom of Kitsch You Will Be a Monster (2005) Sweet Shanghai Devil (2003) Where the Ragged People Go (2002)

elephant9

2008: Dodovoodoo (Rune Grammofon) 2010: Walk the Nile (Rune Grammofon) 2011: Live at the BBC (Rune Grammofon) 2012: Atlantis (Rune Grammofon), with Reine Fiske 2015: Silver Mountain (Rune Grammofon), with Reine Fiske 2018: Greatest Show On Earth (Rune Grammofon) 2019: Psychedelic Backfire I (Rune Grammofon) 2019: Psychedelic Backfire II (Rune Grammofon) 2019: Psychedelic Backfire III (Rune Grammofon) 2021: Arrival of the New Elders (Rune Grammofon) 2024: Mythical River (Rune Grammofon) 2024: Catching Fire with Terje Rypdal (Rune Grammofon)

Thom Hell All Good Things (2010)

Aleksander With Still Awake (2010)

Torun Eriksen Passage (2010) (1 song) Prayers & Observations (2005) Glittercard (2003)

Jørn Øien trio Digging in the Dark (2010)

Chrome Hill Earthlings (2008)

Damp Hoatzin (2005) Mostly Harmless (2003)

Mathias Eick Skala (2011) Ravensburg (2018)

Ola Kvernberg's Liarbird Liarbird (Jazzland, 2011), the commissioned work, live from Moldejazz 2010 including Bergmund Waal Skaslien (viola), Eirik Hegdal (saxophone), Håkon Kornstad (saxophone), Mathias Eick (trumpet), Ingebrigt Håker Flaten and Ole Morten Vågan (bass), as well as Erik Nylander (drums)

Jarle Bernhoft Solidarity Breaks (2011) 1: Man 2: Band (2010)

Marit Larsen Under the Surface (2006) The Chase (2008)

Garness Barnet i krybben (2009) The good or better side of things (2008)

Eberson/Zanussi/Lofthus Bring it on (2006)

Silje Nergaard Darkness Out of Blue (2007)

Linn Skåber and Dennis Storhøi Petter Snus og vårmelodien (2007)

Maria Solheim Frail (2004) Behind Closed Doors (2002)

Rockettothesky To Sing You Apple Trees (2006)

Samsaya Shedding Skin (2004)

Gisle Torvik Naken Uten Gitar (1999)

Various artists Stolpesko (2002)