Johan Tobias Bergstrøm – Nova (Losen, 2024)
The seeds for Johan Tobias Bergstrøm’s album Nova were planted back in 2020 during a performance for the Norwegian and Jordanian royal families in Jordan. Immersed in the rich musical environment of Jordan, where the sounds of the oud permeated the airwaves, Bergstrøm felt a compelling urge to explore a convergence of various musical genres. This epiphany led him to combine his Django Reinhardt-inspired style with the Arabic melodies he had recently encountered.
Determined to deepen his understanding, Bergstrøm journeyed to Gothenburg, where he studied under the distinguished oud player Ahmad Al-Khatib. This mentorship offered him a profound introduction to the intricacies of Arabic musical traditions. As his exploration progressed, other influences began to weave into his compositions. A longtime admirer of African music, particularly the work of Richard Bona, Bergstrøm sought to incorporate these joyful rhythms into his writing. His trip to Worcestershire, UK, to study with guitarist Remi Harris further inspired him to compose “Solaris,” a track evocative of an Irish jig.
Nova is Bergstrøm’s debut solo album, following 15 years of prolific writing, recording, and performing. While his previous releases centered around Django Reinhardt-style music, this new venture represents a broader world music debut. Indeed, the album’s diverse tracks reflect a wide range of global influences.
Musicians: Johan Tobias Bergstrøm on guitar; Jørgen Krøger Mathisen on violin; Håkon Huldt-Nystrøm on bass; and Thomas Antonio Debelian on percussion.
Produced by Johan Tobias Bergstrøm
Co-produced by David Aleksander Sjølie
Front Cover Artwork by Stian Kristoffer Jamessen
Design by Max Franosch
This album is supported by Fund for Performing Artists, Norway
Buy Nova.
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.