Gard Nilssen

Gard Nilssen

Gard Nilssen is a Norwegian jazz drummer, composer, producer and bandleader from Skien, born in 1983 and based in Oslo. He comes from a musical family of drummers and begins playing in marching bands and big bands in his hometown. He studies with drummer Audun Kleive before moving to Trondheim, where he completes a master’s degree in jazz at the NTNU University of Jazz Music between 2003 and 2009.

Career and collaborations

Nilssen is active across the European jazz scene and performs extensively with his own groups, including Gard Nilssen Acoustic Unity, Bushman’s Revenge, sPacemonKey, Amgala Temple, Ruby and Gard Nilssen Supersonic Orchestra. He also works in bands and projects such as Maciej Obara Quartet, Susanne Sundfør band, Cortex, Team Hegdal, Trondheim Jazz Orchestra and Thomas Dybdahl band. The verified lineup information also places him in Amgala Temple, Astro Sonic, SKRIM, Unionen, Starlite Motel and Maciej Obara Quartet.

Recording and performing work

Nilssen has recorded around 70 records and has toured and performed with a wide range of musicians, including Bill Frisell, Pat Metheny, Tomasz Stańko, Joshua Redman, Ambrose Akinmusire, Susanne Sundfør, Chris Potter, Django Bates, Bugge Wesseltoft, Jon Balke, Arild Andersen, Audun Kleive, Fredrik Ljungkvist, Morten Qvenild, Ola Kvernberg, Stian Carstensen, Håkon Kornstad, Ståle Storløkken, Stian Westerhus, Øystein Moen, Jørgen Mathisen, Even Hermansen, Rune Nergaard, Kristoffer Alberts, Johan Lindstrøm, André Roligheten, Thomas Morgan, Mike Stern, Andy Sheppard, Eirik Hegdal, Ole Morten Vågan, Petter Eldh, Goran Kajfeš, Per “Texas” Johansson, Maciej Obara, Hanna Paulsberg, Anja Lauvdal, Kjetil Møster, Mats Eilertsen, Lars Horntveth, Ola Høyer, Gunhild Kristoffersen, Megan Kovacs, Thomas Johansson, Kit Downes, Lage Lund, Dominik Wania, Mathias Eick, Lasse Marhaug, Erlend Slettevoll, Oscar Grönberg, Ellen Andrea Wang, Sivert Høyem, Billie Van, Hilde Marie Kjersem, Ingebjørg Bratland, Thea Hjelmeland, Thomas Dybdahl, Nicolai Eilertsen, Jonas Alaska, Rolf Erik Nystrøm, Miko Innanen, Jonas Kullhammar, Amund Maarud, David Wallumrød, Morten Myklebust, Jens Carelius, Jamie Saft and Ingebrigt Flaten.

Style and other work

His drumming is described in terms such as energetic, creative, musical, groovy, fearless and dynamic, with strong technical range. Outside performance, he collects vintage drums and vinyl, and he runs the record label Gigafon. In 2019 he is Artist in Residence at the Molde International Jazz Festival.