Download biography 2010 in word-format.
Download new article about Kristin written by MIC Norway spring 2009 - the night shines like the day

Download article about Kristin written by MIC Norway 2007 - Wayfaring stranger - a spiritual songbook

Singer Kristin Asbjørnsen is one of the most distinguished artists on the vibrating extended music scene in Norway. During the last decade, she has received overwhelming international response among critics and public alike for her personal and unique musical expression on stage and on recordings. She recently won the Music Award Spellemannsprisen (the Norwegian equivalent to Grammy Award) for her last album “The night shines like the day” (in the “Open class” category).
Kristin has an unique voice and her trademark sound is rich with contrasts and dynamics, with strong melancholy and a feisty devilish energy. Known for her very personal approach to song writing, Kristin’s roots lies in both the singer/songwriter tradition and the groove-based world music. Her music is a powerful, mesmerizing beautiful exploration; quiet and intense, with an incredibly strong awareness in the way Kristin is approaching the songs.

2009/2010 saw the release of Kristin’s enchanting solo-album “The night shines like the day” in many countries across Europe (by Emarcy/ Universal Music). The album is totally based on Kristin’s own lyrics and music. The arrangements are coloured by Kristin’s work on her critically acclaimed album ‘Wayfaring Stranger – a spiritual songbook’ as well as her long term duo work with the jazz pianist Tord Gustavsen. And they show traces of old gospel hymns and the West African danceable approach.
The release was followed by extended tours in Europe, especially in Germany and in France.
Kristin’s previous solo-album “Wayfaring stranger – a spiritual songbook” (Emarcy/Universal music 2006) was based on her interpretations of old African-American Spirituals. Both the albums, as well as extended touring in Europe, were met with outstanding reviews. “Wayfaring stranger – a spiritual songbook” sold to Platinum in Norway.
In 2011 she will continue performing in Europe, combining songs from her two latest albums.

The captivating Norwegian singer has featured on a number of album releases, as well as a series of tours and festival performances in Europe. She has won several national Music Awards. In France, Kristin became the winner of the Mondomix Babel Med prize 2009.
During many years Kristin focused mainly on work with her permanent musical ensembles Kvitretten, DADAFON and KRØYT, where her own compositions played a core role.

In 2005 Kristin made her international debut as a film score composer for the American movie “Factotum”, based on a novel by Charles Bukowski (Bent Hamer /Jim Stark Prod). The film and the soundtrack received a lot of international acclaim and Factotum was selected for the Cannes Film Festival. Kristin’s soundtrack album is released on the French/Am label Milan Records.
Kristin has collaborated with the Malien singer Rokia Traore (in Norway and in France) and collaborates in different formats with piano player Tord Gustavsen (including Tord Gustavsen’s Ensemble “Restored, Returned” 2010 ECM). In 2010 Kristin has been touring in South Africa with the worldwide known accapella group Ladysmith Black Mambazo.

In addition to writing her own lyrics, she is using Victorian and contemporary poems for her music.
Kristin received her formal musical education from the Jazz Department at the Trondheim Music Conservatory, Norway.

«Kristin is a phenomen as a singer!» (Helsingin Saunomat, Finland).

2009/2010 saw the release of Kristin's new enchanting solo album: "The night shines like the day". This is the first album totally based on Kristin’s own lyrics and music.

The music is a powerful, mesmerizing beautiful exploration; quiet and intense, with an incredibly strong awareness in the way Kristin is approaching the songs. It’s soulful music that flows, touchingly grounded in Kristin’s unique voice.
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In 2005 Molde Intern Jazzfestival invited Nymark Collective to to a special concert with Kristin Asbjørnsen based on the Bessie Smith Repertoir. The response was overwhelming and the concert was followed by a lot of concerts the last two years. In 2008 Nymark Collective and Kristin released the live album "Bessie Smith Revisited - live in Concert".
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In 2006/2007 Kristin released her Music Awards Nominated solo album «Wayfaring Stranger – a spirituals songbook» . Music based on new interpretations on African-American spirituals. The album as well as the extended touring in Europe was met with outstanding reviews and the album sold to Platinum in Norway. The album is now being released in France. Kristin is touring with Jostein Ansnes (guitars/vocals), Olav Torget (guitars/vocals) and Knut Aalefjær (perc).
Press release Spirituals (word)
Presseskriv Spirituals (word)
Presscuts Wayfaring stranger - a spiritual songbook
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In 2005 Kristin made her international debut as a film score composer for the American movie “Factotum”, based on a novel by Charles Bukowski. Factotum is a US/Norwegian co-production by Director Bent Hamer and producer Jim Stark, and is starring Matt Dillon, Marisa Tomei and Lili Taylor. The film and the soundtrack received a lot of international acclaim and Factotum was selected for the Cannes Film Festival. Kristin’s soundtrack album is released on the French/American label Milan Records and her music won the Norwegian Film Award: “Best Norwegian Film Music” (Kanon prisen).

«Asbjornsen is talented at conveying deep meaning and emotion through her vocals. The instrumentals are played with equal talent and complement Asbjornsen magnificently. I applaud her on her great accomplishment with this collection. It expresses deep sadness and extreme loneliness. She will go far if she keeps performing like this and I look forward to her solo album. I would recommend this to everyone. Though it is hard for foreigners to become music sensations in America, I think Asbjornsen will be the next big thing. No one should be without this wonderful CD.» (TheCelebrityCafe)»

Download Factotum Release in english (word-format) or in norwegian (word-format).
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Dadafon The last years Dadafon has been the main vehicle for Kristin’s song-writing. The music can be described as passionate love songs, where strong melodies and the powerful and danceable rhythms play a central part. In 2005 Dadafon released their fifth album «Lost Love Chords» on Emarcy/Universal, once again met with excellent reviews. The album includes the two main songs from the movie Factotum. «Lost Love Chords» is currently released in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Greece, Holland, Austria and Canada. Dadafon has won the Norwegian music award Alarm and has been nominated for the «Spellemannsprisen» (the Norwegian equivalent to the Grammy). In addition to performing at a number of European festivals, Dadafon has toured Norway extensively, causing a lot of great acclaim.

Kristin’s trio Krøyt, with Øyvind Brandtsegg (vibraphone/sampling) and Thomas T. Dahl (guitar) has also established themselves as one of Norway's hottest live-acts with their improvised, avantgarde, vibrant and mutated rock. Krøyt has released 4 critically acclaimed albums. The band won the «Spellemannsprisen» in 2000 for their album «Low» and won the National Composition Award for their song «Silent». Krøyt has collaborated with the Swedish «Fleshquartet» and the brilliant Norwegian stringquartet «Vertavo» to name a few. Krøyt has performed at a great number of international festivals. In 2005 the band collaborated with the Swedish cello player Svante Henryson, performing in Norway and England.

During a 10 year period, Kristin was singing in the vocal experimentation-oriented vocal quartet, Kvitretten. Kvitretten became almost like a Norwegian institution for contemporary, experimental way of singing; with a main focus on improvisation. Kvitretten received the «Spellemannspris» nomination for the album «Voices» in 1996 and has released two more albums to excellent reviews. Kvitretten toured extensively in the Nordic countries and Germany.

Kristin has also worked with the internationally acclaimed pianists Tord Gustavsen and Ketil Bjørnstad, as well as the Malian singer Rokia Traore.