We are happy to announce that Norway’s heaviest jazz band, Red Kite has joined Is it Jazz? Records for their 3rd album!
Red Kite formed back in 2013 after Torstein Lofthus (drums), Even Holte Hermansen (guitar) and Bernt A. Moen (keyboards) had played together on Shining’s “Blackjazz” album. Even had played with Trond Frønes (bass) in Grand General and invited him to join. Since all of them had a rock and metal background, they wanted to explore their jazz inspirations from artists like Alice Coltrane with the heavy inspiration from bands like Black Sabbath and have fun with that. This led to the release of their debut in 2019 and followed up with a new one in 2021.
A lot has happened with the quartet since their last album in 2021. The work on their 3rd album has been delayed, since keyboardist was going through some health issues that eventually led him to step down permanently.
But there is an upside to the bleak backstory of the upcoming album, as their old friend and jazz legend Gisle Johansen (know from Elements and more), has joined the band after initially was just going to be a guest musician on the album.That’s exciting. And luckily for them, another friend, Ståle Storløkken (elephant9, Supersilent +++), was able to help out on short notice with the recording. So terrible times were had by all, but also a few laughs.
With the signing to Is it Jazz? Records, Even Helte Hermansen says:
This album will be our first on Is it Jazz? Records, and we’re really excited to be joining them. A lot has happened during the making of this record, like a lot, and as result the direction might be slightly different this time. It’s perhaps a little more jazzy, and definitely a lot darker, with elements from funeral music to folk and mountain jazz. Maybe we should just call it doom jazz for short? In any case, we’re really happy to have found a home for it, whatever it is, and are so looking forward to be sharing it with everybody soon!
More information on the upcoming Red Kite album will come soon, but for now we’re just delighted to announce that it will be released on Is it Jazz? Records.
For more information about Red Kite:
facebook.com/thisisredkite