In 1987 young Norwegian saxophone player Bendik Hofseth travelled to New York to replace Michael Brecker in Mike Mainer’s band Steps Ahead. After several world tours, and hundreds of concerts, Bendik was offered a worldwide deal with Columbia Records, and has, since then, released several critically acclaimed solo albums.

 

The album” IX” (1991) was woted one of the best Norwegian records in history in a huge poll in 2011.

Bendik released his last solo album” Children and Cosmopolitans” in 2016, and has brought with him both new and old collaborators. Norwegian mega star Paolo Vinaccia has played with Bendik from the start and contemporary composer/pianist Helge Iberg has worked with Bendik on several projects since the 90’s.

 

Bass player Mads Eilertsen has participated on several ECM-records with Tord Gustavsen, Mathias Eick and Jacob Young, as well as releasing his ECM solo album” Rubicon” 2016.