Emil Karlsen: Open Fund for Music Creators

Emil Karlsen

Emil Karlsen is a Norwegian improvising drummer based in the UK. Described as a “significant addition to the UK free jazz scene” and an “exceptional improv drummer”, he’s establishing himself on the improvised music circuit working the span from free improvisation to free jazz. Occupied with the exploring timbral possibilities of the drum kit, he performs with Philipp Wachsmann, John Butcher, Phil Durrant and Maggie Nicols to mention some.Spaces Unfolding + Pierre Alexandre Tremblay album recording.

Spaces Unfolding + Pierre Alexandre Tremblay album recording

Spaces Unfolding was founded by Norwegian drummer Emil Karlsen and features Neil Metcalfe (flute) and Philipp Wachsmann (violin). The trio was initially sparked by an interest in acoustic spaces and their influence on musical developments in improvised music contexts. This notion, which ultimately portrays the acoustics as an additional member of the group, led to the inaugural release ‘The Way We Speak’ captured in Stoke Newington’s St.Mary’s Old Church. The album garnered critical acclaim receiving among others an honourable mention on the highly coveted ‘Albums Of The Year’ list by New York City Jazz Records. This time the group will interact within an electro-acoustic framework generated by Pierre Alexandre Tremblay. His practice, at the intersection of chamber music, noise and free improvisation, extends the realms of the acoustic sounds with a desire to offer multiple dialogues between instruments and electronics.