Martin Taxt (b.1981) was born and grew up in Melhus in the middle of Norway. After discovering the tuba through the local school’s marching-band he attended Heimdal VideregÃ¥ende Skole (high school) where he studied with the famous classical tuba player Øystein Baadsvik. After a few years focusing on classical music, Martin began to pay more attention to jazz and improvised music. In 2001 he formed his octet Big Spirit People with guitarist Eirik Blekesaune, and the duo Silucian Town with Lena Nymark.
From 2002 to 2006 he studied in Oslo, at the Norwegian State Academy of Music, and Conservatoire Nationale Superieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris, with among others Michel Godard, Riccardo del Fra, Torbjørn Kvist, Ivar Grydeland and Bjørn Kruse
Both improvising and composing are important elements of Martin’s project. He’s influenced by a wide specter of music. From different kinds of popular music (The Beatles, Tom Waits, Autechre, Afrirampo) through traditional music (Johnny Cash, Hilmar Alexandersen, Japanese gagaku, Pygmee music) to classical (Gesualdo, J.S. Bach, J.Haydn) and contemporary music (H.Lachenmann, S.Sciarrino, M.Feldman, G. Scelsi).
Martin has contributed to several recordings during the last few years, including Hanne Hukkelberg, Little Things (Propeller Recordings/Leaf Label); Odd Nordstoga, Heim te Mor (Universal); Acoustic Accident, Q.S (AIM Records); Spin Ensemble (SPIN01) and with his own group Florebius, House of Flour (Jazzaway Records)
After studying with guitarist Ivar Grydeland 2005/2006, Martin re-discovered his interest for sound-oriented improvisation, more influenced by contemporary music and different kinds of traditional music than jazz.
In September 2006 he performed with the great japanese impro musicians Toshimaru Nakamura and Tetuzi Akiyama at GRID605 in Tokyo. Later he invited the the same Akiyama to Norway to do two concerts in collaboration with the unique impro-duo Streifenjunko. The latest news is that he will join trumpeter Dave Douglas’ group for a project in June 2007, and also he has become a member of the French group Circum with among others Vincent Mascart, Beniat Achiary and Carlo Rizzo.
I edited my profile with Thomas’ Myspace Editor V4.4
