Jan Gunnar Hoff – Piano
Jasper Somsen – Double Bass
Carsten Lindholm – Drums
COMING UP IN MARCH ’26, NEW ALBUM: “Human Vibe” (Challenge Records)
The collaboration between Norwegian pianist Jan Gunnar Hoff, Dutch bassist Jasper Somsen, and Danish drummer Carsten Lindholm is rooted first and foremost in a deep and genuine friendship. Although the geographical distance between their homes prevents them from meeting every week, they understand one another with the ease of lifelong companions—through a smile, a glance, or a single word. That same intuitive connection defines their music: one gesture, one idea, one note is enough to set the trio into motion. For their second album, the HSL Trio reunited in The Netherlands, where their long conversations over dinners and lunches often flowed directly into the creative process. During one such exchange, the title Human Vibe emerged almost spontaneously. It captures precisely what makes this trio unique: three musicians from different parts of the world, each with his own artistic vibration, finding a shared space where differences spark understanding rather than distance. They challenge one another honestly, listen attentively, and meet every musical turn with openness and joy. This human element also defines their performances, where they share personal stories and invite audiences into their world—turning listeners into participants in the trio’s own Human Vibe. Guy van Hulst (NL) – excerpt from the album’s liner notes
Great compositions and impressive perfomances. For me this is one of the leading piano trios in Europe now … Stunning!
Wolf Müller (GER)
HOFF SOMSEN LINDHOLM – Rubalcaba
Hoff Somsen Lindholm: Jan Gunnar Hoff (NOR), Jasper Somsen (NL) and Carsten Lindholm (DK) share their love of Nordic Jazz, mixed with strong influences of both the American Jazz tradition and European classical music. The original music of this strong Dutch-Scandinavian trio is characterized by its communicative openness, stylistic diversity and aesthetic expressiveness, in which their lyrical compositions unfold in a flow of improvisational forces. Jan Gunnar, Jasper and Carsten share a positive attitude in life, which reflects clearly in their compositions, improvisations and their upclose and personal performance.After their first encounter in Bayreuth in September 2023, the trio decided to get into the studio to record their debut album. “Northwest” was recorded, mixed and mastered in the beautiful Millfactory Studios, Copenhagen by engineer Boe Larsen. Before and after the album release the trio performed in Norway, Corsica (France), Germany and the historically famous Jazzhus Montmartre, Copenhagen.
Their debut album “Northwest” (Sept. 2024, Challenge Records) is highly acclaimed by the international media, appreciated by millions of listeners on the digital streaming platforms.
Media
All three musicians are equal in the musical process and contribute in the same measures with improvisations and compositions. It is all about communication – the art of listening and reacting and so forcing each other deeper into the essence of the performed tune. This new jazz trio is a welcome addition to an already rich European jazz scene and will soon find followers around the globe.
After hearing their debut album, I can already say: I am a fan! Wulf Müller (GER)
Anyone who has even a little empathy and can listen to music will recognize the greatness of this art. The beautiful sound of the album and the virtuosity of the instrumentalists are captivating.
Jazz-Fun, GER (Jacek Brun) … Read more >>
Northwest has both the Nordic freshness and the warm-hearted feeling in it to charm with its authenticity and melodic vibes.
Jazz’halo, BE (Bernard Lefevre) … Read More >>
All three men are experienced and versatile musicians, creating a collective atmosphere, leaving space for one another. There is a beautiful composition by Somsen, So Long, in which the melancholy of farewell is strikingly expressed.
Jazzism, NL (Coen de Jonge) … Read more >>
Their debut album shows from the beginning that these three musicians are playing together on equal terms. And the range is enormous. A great album, which sounds excellent. A must-listen!
Hören und Fühlen, GER (Claus Volke) … Read more >>
Hoff – Somsen – Lindholm have in a short time developed into a trio with great authority and range.
Nettavisen, NOR (Tor Hammerø) … Read more >>
It pays off when such experienced musicians join forces … the common unified expression as well as improvisational power complement each other … it is precisely here that the understanding between the three musicians becomes apparent.
Musik an Sich, GER (Wolfgang Giese) … Read more >>
On the album Northwest, Gunnar Hoff, Somsen and Lindholm prove that they are the unmistakable ambassadors of Scandinavian jazz where harmonic melodies, solid interplay and coherent performances are the most important ingredients.
Music Frames, NL … Read more >>
Lyrical sounds, warm melodies and subtle interplay, especially during the individual musicians’ solo performances, characterize this blend of American role models and Nordic musical expression.
NaDann, GER … Read more >>
High-class trio Jazz. Tight interplay, good songs and strong soloists. Who could ask for anything more?
Bodø Jazz Open Festival, NOR (Kjell Nordeng) … Read more >>
Three of a kind: Instant and intense interplay, full of power and expressiveness without completely abandoning the lyrical setting.
Gerd Harthus (GER) – Concert blog Bodø Jazz Open, Norway … Read more >>
Hoff Somsen Lindholm demonstrated the excellence of their technical and compositional qualities. The piano oscillated between water and fire, the double bass thunder and purrs and the drums balanced everything with rhythm and sounds that were sometimes fragmentary or lascivious.
Jazz Equinoxe, Corsica (FR) – photos (above) by Michele Maestracci
High-class trio Jazz. Tight interplay, good songs and strong soloists. What more do you ask for?
Bodø Jazz Open Festival, NOR (Kjell Nordeng) – read full review here
Three of a kind: Instant and intense interplay, full of power and expressiveness without completely abandoning the lyrical setting.
Gerd Harthus (GER) – read full review here
ABOUT:
(c) 2023 photos by Boe Larsen
| Biographies Hoff Somsen Lindholm | Download |
Pianist Jan Gunnar Hoff from Norway performs worldwide with his solo piano repertoire and has worked with: Mike Stern, Arve Henriksen, Audun Kleive, Anders Jormin, Gary Novak, Per Mathiesen, Alex Acuna and Horacio Hernández.
As a bandleader and co-leader he has released 23 albums and published over 250 orchestral works in various contexts. Jan Gunnar Hoff is also a Steinway artist.
Double bassist/Composer/Producer Jasper Somsen from the Netherlands is known worldwide for his longstanding collaborations with Enrico Pieranunzi, Maria Mendes and Lynne Arriale. He has performed with Peter Erskine, Jorge Rossy, Joey Calderazzo, Bob Sheppard, John Beasley and Jeff Ballard among other. He has released 7 albums as leader and co-leader for Challenge Records and has been featured on more than 45 albums including film music productions.
Drummer and composer Carsten Lindholm is a danish Drummer known for his unique ability to fuse Nordic Jazz with Indian rhythmics, based on his study of Konnakol. Artists as Erik Truffaz, John Beasley, Reggie Washington, Pete Judge, Jim Barr, Eivind Aarset, Gunnar Halle, Thomas Siffling and Christopher Dell has played on his albums.
He has since 2018 as bandleader, toured with his Carsten Lindholm Trio in many European clubs and at festivals a.o ELBJAZZ, Bix Stuttgart, Domicil Dortmund, Altes Pfandhaus Köln, JazzFolk Syke, Jazzforum Bayreuth, Jazzclub Bamberg, Jazznmore Ingolstadt, Jazzfest Wageningen, Montmartre Copenhagen, Festival Boréales|Theatre de Caen.
| Hoff Somsen Lindholm Tech & stageplan | Download |
BOOKINGS & MANAGEMENT:
Carsten Lindholm (World)
Jasper Somsen (The Netherlands and UK)