Aphrodisiac

The jazz quintet Aphrodisiac has existed for four years, making itself heard at several jazzfestivals and clubs around Norway. Participating in the music contests ”Jazzintro” and ”Young Nordic Jazz Comets” has given them an opportunity to show their music to a large audience, recieving great response.
In spring 2010 they will release their first album on the Norwegian label Park Grammofon. Guitarist Magnus Wiik is the master mind behind the music, a handfull of songs combining a strong sense of melody with imaginative chord progressions, humor and playfulness is walking hand in hand with beautiful sound collages. Anja Skybakmoen has written thoughtful texts, helping shape the band's strong and unique sound. All of the five members work as freelance musicians, participating on several tours and records with Pitsj, Stian Around a Hill Quartet, Johannesen:Furu:Sandbakken, Off Topic, Vojtech Prochazka Trio and Zampano.
The pop-listener would call this jazz, the jazz-listener would call it pop with weird chords and rhythms. What would you call it? Take a listen and hear for yourself!
Anja Eline Skybakmoen (1984) is originally from Trondheim, but moved to Oslo some years ago to study jazz at the Music Academy. She is frequently playing in and around Oslo with groups as Eplemøya Songlag, Pitsj and SILUET.
Svein Magnus Furu (1983) is one of the busiest young reedplayers on the scene in Norway. He graduated on sax and clarinet from the music academy in Oslo in 2008. An active freelance-musician, he is also working with fixed ensembles such as Stian Around a Hill Quartet, Johannesen Furu duo, Diplodokus, Trabant and Johannesen:Furu:Sandbakken. His style of playing is melodic and free, always expanding the the instrumental timbres with extended techniques.
Magnus Wiik (1985) is currently in his 2. year at the conservatory in Trondheim, where he plays frequently with groups as Zampano, Hammock, Ström, Antrim, Sweet Interruption, Magnus Wiik Trio, Snippets, Julie & The New Favourites among others. His musical influences range widely from jazz, improvised music and contemporary classical music to bluegrass, Irish folk-music and singer-songwriter. He is very preoccupied with tradition and the craft of playing different styles of music, as well as integrating improvisation in an organic way. He is inspired by hard-working musicians, literature and movies, and spends a lot of time reading comic-books to chill out.
Adrian Myhr - (1984) is currently completing his fourth year in the academy in Oslo, and is a very busy young musician. In addition to Aphrodisiac, you can hear him in groups as Trabant, Yuma Yuma, Ke4, Astrid Pedersen Ensemble.
Tore Sandbakken (1985) is another Trondheim native, currently finishing his bachelor degree in jazz performance at the Norwegian Academy of music in Oslo. Here, he is found playing with groups as diverse as Johannesen:Furu:Sandbakken, Bleak House, Astrid E. Pedersen Ensemble, Off Topic and Vojtech Prochazka Trio.