Terje Rypdal

Renowned as the "tone poet of the Fender Stratocaster," Norwegian guitarist Terje Rypdal offers a mercurial playing style that intersects classical, jazz, and rock. In 1971, he issued his eponymous debut for ECM, melding jazz and prog rock; 1975's Odyssey defined his early career. 1981's To Be Continued was a fusion classic. Later that decade, Rypdal issued a celebrated trilogy as Terje Rypdal & the Chasers. In 1992, he released the concerto Q.E.D.; he returned to jazz on 1996's Skywards, then went back to classical for 2000's Double Concerto: 5th Symphony. 2010's Crime Scene was a live film noir concept album while 2013's Melodic Warrior featured the Hilliard Ensemble, Bruckner Orchester Linz, and the Wrocław Philharmonic Orchestra. 2020's Conspiracy showcased a rolling groove quartet with Supersilent's Ståle Storløkken on Hammond B-3. In October 2024, Rune Grammofon released the double-length Catching Fire, documenting a concert Rypdal played with Elephant9 (Storløkken is a member) in 2017.