Photo: Kristine Jakobsen
NEW ALBUM COMING UP: To be released on Øra Fonogram, spring 2026:
“Valagascar” is the second album from Thomas Torstrup Quartet. The tunes on the album are a combination of new arrangements of the works of the Norwegian composer Fartein Valen (1887-1952) and new originals from Thomas Torstrup. This is probably the first jazz album recorded with arrangements of music from Fartein Valen.
Thomas Torstrup: Piano
Simen Kiil Halvorsen: Trumpet
Stian Andersen: Bass
Ivar Asheim: Drums
Recorded in Øra Studio, Trondheim, Norway 24th and 25th of February, 2025 by Kyrre Laastad
Mixed by Kyrre Laastad
Mastering: Karl Klaseie
Cover design by: Christian Meaas Svendsen
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THOMAS TORSTRUP
Thomas Torstrup is a Norwegian pianist, organist and composer from Stavanger. He attained a master’s degree after studying at NTNU in Trondheim. Torstrup has an impressive track of record both as a soloist and as sideman. In addition of being a great jazz pianist, he gives church concerts as an improvising organist, and is constantly searching to find alternative ways of playing and improvising on church organs. He released his first album as a composer in 2014, recorded by the sound legend Jan Erik Kongshaug in Rainbow Studio, together with Hanna Paulsberg, Trygve Fiske and Tore Sandbakken. The recent years he has released more albums as composer/pianist/organist, together with Heidi Skjerve and John Pål Inderberg/Martin Högberg. Torstrup is currently working at the University in Stavanger as an assistant professor. In 2021 he released his album “Two brothers” (with Thomas Torstrup Quartet) on NXN recordings.
