Kristian Bergheim
Encyclopedia
Kristian Bergheim was a noted saxophonist
, considered one of the few in Norway
of international caliber.
Bergheim was raised in Asker
and in Stabekk
in the neighboring municipality Bærum, where he lived most of his life. He played in a number of bands and orchestras before devoting his professional life to music, in 1948. He was repeatedly named best Norwegian saxophonist when such contests were common in the 1950s and 1960s.
He led his own bands and orchestras starting in 1960, focusing mostly on swing. He won the highest Norwegian jazz award, Buddyprisen, in 1978 and the Gammleng Prize in 1991. Because of a lung ailment, he retired in 1990.
Bergheim was for some time married to noted singer and actress Anita Thallaug
.
Saxophone
The saxophone is a conical-bore transposing musical instrument that is a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to that of the clarinet. The saxophone was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax in 1846...
, considered one of the few in Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
of international caliber.
Bergheim was raised in Asker
Asker
Asker is a municipality in Akershus county, Norway. It is part of the Viken traditional region. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Asker. The municipality is a suburb of Oslo, the national capital...
and in Stabekk
Stabekk
Stabekk is a suburban centre in the municipality of Bærum, Norway. Mainly a residential area and have most of the conservative population in Norway the current population is 6,261....
in the neighboring municipality Bærum, where he lived most of his life. He played in a number of bands and orchestras before devoting his professional life to music, in 1948. He was repeatedly named best Norwegian saxophonist when such contests were common in the 1950s and 1960s.
He led his own bands and orchestras starting in 1960, focusing mostly on swing. He won the highest Norwegian jazz award, Buddyprisen, in 1978 and the Gammleng Prize in 1991. Because of a lung ailment, he retired in 1990.
Bergheim was for some time married to noted singer and actress Anita Thallaug
Anita Thallaug
Anita Thallaug is a Norwegian actress and singer. She has featured in musicals, cinema and TV programs. Under the name Vesla Rolfsen, at the age of seven, she was performing at the Spider theatre in Oslo....
.
Discography
- Jazz in Norway, volume 1 (RCA, 1954)
- Arvid Gram Paulsen, Mikkel Flagstad, Kristian Bergheim (1977, Herman)
- Liva at Malla, (1977, Norjazz)
- Rainbow Session - vol 2, with Bjarne Nerem, Kristian Bergheim (1990) OCP 101-2