Nettavisen Norway *****

“Bugge and Evans new album SORTLAND is in an empathic musical landscape where beautiful, searching, and occasionally melancholic melodies are infused with influences from jazz, classical and folk music. Together they create a unique musical gumbo.”

Acclaimed cellist Maja Bugge and award-winning pianist Dave Evans has worked together since 2023 creating original compositions inspired by place, belonging, memories and heritage. In 2026 they released the album SORTLAND on Finito Bacalao Records in Norway launching the album with a tour of Norway to outstanding reviews.

The album is a portrait of Maja’s hometown, which lies 68 degrees north above the arctic circle. Inspired by nature, place, belonging and heritage, the music experiments with space, stillness and repetition. At times joyful and playful, and at others quiet and vulnerable, it is not afraid to go to the strangest or quietest of places. 

The duo has since 2023 been touring extensively in Norway and the UK including headlining at festivals like Lancaster Jazzfestival and Sortland Jazzfestival. Their venues range from village halls and churches to jazz clubs allowing for the blend of chamber music precision to be integrated into the playful, infectious energy of jazz and folk. 

Video of title track SORTLAND: