Our popular Summer Jazz Series returns to Scandinavia House, with live performances in Volvo Hall! This summer we’re presenting performances from some of Scandinavia’s most talented jazz musicians, composers, and singers on Thursday evenings in June and July.

The series continues on July 15 with Jostein Gulbrandsen Trio, featuring Gulbrandsen on guitar with Mike McGuirk (bass) and Ronen Itzik (drums).

About the Musicians

Originally from the city of Namsos in Norway, Jostein Gulbrandsen has been based in New York since 2001. He finished his Master’s Degree in Jazz Guitar from Manhattan School of Music in 2003, and has played at Rochester International Jazz Festival, Trondheim JazzFest, Faro International Guitar Festival , Blue Note, Birdland ,55 Bar, Smalls, Blues Alley, and The Kennedy Center. He has released three albums as a leader: Twelve, Release of Tension and Looking Ahead. He has also released the best-selling guitar method book Modern Jazz and Fusion Guitar on Hal/Leonard and is a featured artist for Collings Guitars, Quilter Labs, Eventide and Curt Mangan Strings.

Bassist Mike McGuirk grew up in Portland, Oregon, and received a bachelor’s degree in Jazz Studies at the University of North Texas, where he studied with Jeff Bradetich. In 1997, he won the International Society of Bassists jazz bass competition. He has played and/or recorded with John Abercrombie, Marc Copland, David Liebman, Tim Hagans, Don Friedman, Joey Baron, Andy Laverne, Eliot Zigmund, Adam Nussbaum, Bennie Wallace, Mulgrew Miller, Billy Drummond, Renee Rosnes, Walt Weiskopf and Eddie Henderson among others. Recently, he can be heard on Marc Copland’s Lunar featuring David Liebman, and Jed Levy’s Round and Round on Steeplechase records.

A native of Jerusalem, Israel, drummer Ronen Itzik relocated to the United States in late 2000. After completing degrees at Berklee College of Music and Florida State University, he established a reputation as an in-demand drummer and sought-after recording artist in New York City. He has incorporated his unique background and knowledge of diverse musical styles into performances at venues such as the Village Vanguard, Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Blue Note and Bimhuis. His numerous international appearances include jazz festivals in Israel, Germany, Korea, Spain, Belgium, Colombia, Canada and Ukraine. He has performed and recorded with jazz greats Lee Konitz, Gary Burton, Kenny Werner, Roy Hargrove, Marcus Roberts, and Arnie Lawrence among many others.