Tord Gustavsen is a Norwegian pianist famed for concerts and albums with his own trio featuring Herald Johnsen on double bass and Jarle Vespestad on drums, and his quartet which also features Vespestad along with saxophonist Tore Brunborg and bassist Mats Eilertsen joined sometimes by singer Kristin Asbjørnsen. Born in Oslo, he grew up in rural Norway and learned to play the piano when he was four years old. He created music, performed in local churches and other venues, and accompanied choirs. His interest in jazz grew when he attended the University of Oslo and he performed with local groups.
He studied at the Conservatory of Music in Trondheim where he formed his own bands and played with jazz musicians including bassists Geir Digernes and Odd Magne Gridset, tuba player David Gald, saxophonist Eirik Hegdal, drummer Magnus Forsberg and singer Kristin Asbjørnsen. When he graduated, he returned to Oslo and obtained an advanced degree in Musicology at the university where he later taught for a few years. He released an album titled 'Aire & Angels' with singer Siri Gjære in 1999 followed three years later by 'Aire & Angels II'. 'Port of Call' with Silje Nergaard and 'First Meeting' with the Nymark Collective came out in 2000 and he made two more albums with them and one with Carl Petter Opsahl and Funky Butt.
In 2003 he released his first album with his trio, which went on to achieve international success. He has written commissioned works and plays with other musicians outside of the trio and quartet including tours and albums with singer Solveig Slettahjell and the choir SKRUK. He has had four albums with his trio - 'Changing Places' (2003), 'The Ground' (2005), 'Being There' (2007) and 'The Other Side' (2018) - and two with the quartet - 'The Well' (2012) and 'Extended Circle' (2014). He also released an album in 2009 with the Tord Gustavsen Ensemble titled 'Restored, Returned' and in 2016 he worked with Simin Tander and Jarle Vespestad on 'What Was Said'.
