Jaga Jazzist

The Profile

Jaga Jazzist is a Norwegian instrumental collective formed in 1994 in Tønsberg by brothers Lars and Martin Horntveth with Ivar Christian Johansen. Known for blending jazz, electronica, and post-rock with large-ensemble instrumentation, they have released acclaimed albums on Ninja Tune, including A Livingroom Hush, The Stix, What We Must, One-Armed Bandit, Starfire, and Pyramid.

Their album A Livingroom Hush was named the best jazz album of 2002 by the BBC. The group collaborated with Motorpsycho on In the Fishtank (2003). Their sound often features brass, reeds, vibraphone, guitars, synths, and intricate rhythmic arrangements.

Four DeBaser reviews chart Jaga Jazzist’s evolution from the melodic, Ninja Tune-era A Livingroom Hush to the orchestral rock heft of What We Must, the eclectic zigzags of One-Armed Bandit, and the sleek allure of Starfire. Writers praise the group’s blend of jazz, electronics, indie/post-rock, and complex arrangements. References to Motorpsycho, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Philip Glass, and Frank Zappa pop up alongside kudos for brass-heavy textures and rhythmic shifts.