Øivind Stømer

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I started playing in marching band when I turned 9 years old and had to get along with an instrument called clarinet at first. They didnt have a saxophone for me then, but I finally got rid of the thin, black-wood at the age of 11. Now playing a big tenor reaching down below my knees and I had to play AND carry it around on the 17th of May. I kept on playing though there wasnt so many opportunities to play something or somewhere else in my hometown. At the age of 16 I decided I didnt want to become a train-driver after all and bought my first Selmer Series II Super Action tenorsaxophone. I served my military service as saxophoneplayer with the Kings Guard and went on to folkehøgskole at Gjøvik. Here I met my first jazzteacher, Petter Skretting, who helped me with the basics. I passed the audition to the conservatory in Kristiansand the following spring and had many ups and downs there... I got inflammation in my arms the first year after lots of practising as a student under Petter Wettre. I started a folkmusic band ( with mr.G Johnsen )called "Eventyr" who got signed by GRAPPA but the band dissolved quickly after. Later I have played with Kirsten B. Berg (+ CD-recording ), Tone Hulbækmo, Hans Fredrik Jacobsen, Leiv Solberg a.o. Other artists I have performed with: Odd Børretzen, Lars Martin Myhre, Herborg Kråkevik, Ulf Wakenius, Bentein Baardson, Ane Dahl Torp. In 2004 Inger Marie released her debut-album in Norway which was quickly picked up by Norway`s most popular radiochannel P1. "Make this moment" sold more than 30.000 in South-Korea!Later we recorded her second album "By myself" ( with guitar-virtuoso Ulf Wakenius ) that has, so far ,been no.1 on HMV jazz vocal list in Japan and the band just recently came back from Tokyo after playing 8 concerts at Cotton Club. The record will be released in at least 25 countries in Asia and Europe.