Sharp 9

Birgit Kjuus – trompet og flygelhorn

Roy Nikolaisen – trompet og flygelhorn

Kristoffer Kompen – trombone

Guy Sion – alt- og sopransaksofon

Atle Nymo – tenorsaksofon

Dave Edge – barytonsaksofon og fløyte

Staffan William-Olsson – gitar, komposisjoner og arrangementer

Jens Fossum – bass

Hermund Nygård – trommer

Staffan started the band in 2004 as an answer to the question, "What is the minimum size of an ensemble with a big band sound where everyone has the opportunity to shine as a soloist, and that isn’t economic suicide?" The band has released two critically acclaimed Spellemann-nominated albums, No:network and Sudoku, and over the years, they have performed more than 200 concerts. Their repertoire includes bebop, West Coast jazz, Latin, and funk, with original compositions and arranged standards, influenced by the styles of Marty Paich, Quincy Jones, and Thad Jones.

I have been playing with this fantastic group since 2016, and I feel humbled stepping into the shoes of the great alto players who held this position before me, such as Frode Nymo and Kasper Skullerud Værnes. In 2023, we lost tenor saxophonist Knut Riisnæs, who was a major part of this band and one of Norway's most respected saxophonists. I will forever cherish the time I got to spend and play with Knut.

Sharp 9 also occasionally functions as the brass section for the Norwegian star Øystein Sunde. We have been playing with Øystein since 2018.