Knut Johan Bratland Kristiansen, born April 14, 1946, in Bergen, is a Norwegian jazz pianist and composer. Kristiansen established several jazz orchestras, including the Bergen Big Band, and performed with musicians including Mette Rongved and Sture Janson. Kristiansen composed music for plays at the Den Nationale Scene theater and received the Bergen County Council Cultural Prize in 1978. In 1983, Kristiansen received the Buddyprisen for work in world music through collaborations with the Gambian/Norwegian Friendship Orchestra and the Latin jazz band Son Mu. Kristiansen received the Vossajazzprisen in 1990. Known for interpretations of Thelonious Monk, Kristiansen led the Monk Memorial series at the Kongsberg Jazz Festival (1987) and Nattjazz (1989). His discography includes the albums Friendship (1983), Son Mu (1985), and Monk Moods (1995). Kristiansen released the trio album Blues For Ell in 2004 and the commissioned work Kuria Suite with the Bergen Big Band in 2016.
