Bekken & Gjems

We will continue our collaboration with Bekken & Gjems in 2023. They led an exciting program on NBF's new and intimate stage "Lille Blå" at the festival in 2022. That concept was so successful that we want to do it again with the same leadership. Pianist Tor Einar 'Dr.' Bekken and harmonica player and guitarist Richard Gjems are two of Norway's most uncompromising musicians, who convey blues, jazz and folk music with virtuosity and joy of playing - often with very smooth transitions between different genres. They have made critically acclaimed records together and as solo artists. With musical roots from Finnskogen, Norway to Louisiana, USA, they take the audience on a border-crossing journey through various tonal landscapes. "Lille Blå" is the festival's smallest stage, and you will find it in the Notodden library in Bok & Blueshuset.