Shining (Norwegian band)

Shining is a Norwegian experimental band that was founded in 1999 as an acoustic jazz quartet in Oslo. Over time, the style of the band with influences from metal music, progressive rock and classical music of the 19th and 20th centuries changed into a more experimental and extreme direction.

• 2.1 Music
• 2.2 Concept and texts

Band History

The initial phase: Acoustic albums

The band was founded in 1999 by saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist Jørgen Munkeby. Munkeby had moved to Oslo to study at the Norwegian Academy of Music and was looking for musicians for a concert that he had already booked. Since he did not know anyone in Oslo, he was looking for musicians among his fellow students. Here he found the bass player Aslak Hartberg, the drummer Torstein Lofthus and pianist Morten Qvenild.

The debut album Where the Ragged People Go was released on 5 November 2001.

The second album Sweet Shanghai Devil appeared two years later on the label Jazzland Recordings.

Style

Music

At the time of the first album Where the Ragged People Go, in which the young Norwegian jazz scene was dominated by Nu Jazz, Shining came to a great deal of attention because they played modern and energetic, acoustic jazz. The influence of John Coltrane and Ornette Coleman sound of the band has evolved to Sweet Shanghai Devil. The music was free and the band had more influence of incorporated outside of jazz music, but remained at the same time an acoustic jazz band.

The style of the album Black Jazz can be described as progressive metal with a strong jazz influence. The vocals are usually screamed.

Concept and texts

The lyrics on Black Jazz are written throughout in English.

Discography

• 2001: Where The Ragged People Go
• 2003: Sweet Shanghai Devil
• 2005: In The Kingdom Of Kitsch You Will Be A Monster
• 2007: Grindstone
• 2010: Black Jazz
• 2013: One One One