Frode Gjerstad

Frode Gjerstad is a Norwegian saxophonist, clarinetist, and pivotal figure in Europe’s free jazz and improvisational music scene. Born in 1948, he’s spent decades pushing boundaries with his fiery alto sax work and collaborations with avant-garde legends like drummer Paal Nilssen-Love and the late guitarist Derek Bailey. Based in Stavanger, Gjerstad has been a relentless force since the 1980s, leading projects like the Circulasione Totale Orchestra and diving into intimate duo or trio settings that prioritize spontaneous creativity. His sound—raw, conversational, and unapologetically exploratory—has cemented his status as a lifer in experimental jazz.

Recent years have seen Gjerstad stay wildly prolific, dropping albums like *We Speak*, *Broken Compass*, and *Time Sound Shape*, which highlight his knack for weaving frenetic energy with moments of delicate interplay. Whether teaming up with international improvisers or steering his own groups, releases like *Twenty Fingers* and *Gromka* prove he’s still hungry to reinvent. For fans of freewheeling saxophone and boundary-free jams, Frode’s your guy—always ready to chase the next unpredictable note.

Genres

Free Jazz

Avant-garde

Post-rock

Avant-garde Jazz

Modern Jazz

Noise Music

Experimental Jazz

Chamber Jazz

Improvisational Music

Related Artists

Peter Brötzmann

Joe Mcphee

Mats Gustafsson

Evan Parker

Otomo Yoshihide

Ken Vandermark

Hamid Drake

William Parker

John Stevens

Paal Nilssen-Love

Fred Frith

Louis Moholo-Moholo

Latest Release

Seven Tracks

Frode Gjerstad•

Alexander von Schlippenbach

Album - 7 Tracks - Released August 22, 2025