Olav Luksengård Mjelva (hardanger fiddle, octave fiddle) is from Røros in the Sør- Trøndelag region of Norway.
He started playing the fiddle at age seven and a few years later started playing the Hardanger fiddle.
Olav is a founding member of the Norwegian–Swedish ensemble SVER and The Nordic Fiddlers Bloc, a trio specializing in Norwegian, Swedish and Shetland fiddle traditions. Olav also has a duo, Rydvall/Mjelva together with Swedish nyckelharpa player Erik Rydvall with whom they have received several awards.
He is also a member of Copper City Ramblers, has recorded an album with Seattle musician Eli West on mandolin and is involved in various other projects.
Olav Luksengård Mjelva has also written music for several documentaries, short movies and theater projects.
In 2010, Olav received the prestigious Spelemannprisen, the Norwegian equivalent of a Grammy award, for his debut solo album, and in 2011 he received the prize as part of the Unni Boksasp Ensemble. In 2013 he was also awarded the title of Norway’s folk musician of the year.
Olav is highly sought after studio musician and has played on over 40 recordings. He is also a widely respected music instructor and dance musician both in Norway and abroad.
Discography:
Sver (Kvarts, 2007)
Fele/hardingfele, Røros/Hallingdal (2009)
Fruen (ta:lik, 2010)
The Nordic Fiddlers Bloc (Etnisk Musikklubb, 2011)
Kvite Fuglar, with Unni Boksasp Ensemble (2013)
Isbrytaren, with Rydvall/Mjelva (2013)
Snakka San & Sver (Playground Music Scandinavia, 2014)
Fryd (Folkhall Records, 2015)
Deliverance (NFB Records, 2016)
Vårdroppar, with Rydvall/Mjelva (2016)
Reverie (Folkhall Records, 2018)
Hand to play, with Mjelva/West (2019)
Vårvindar Friska, with Rydvall/Mjelva (2019)
Bonfrost (NFB Records, 2021)
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.