Bjarne Nerem


Bjarne Arnulf Nerem was a Norwegian jazz musician among the foremost soloists in Norwegian jazz. He was in the tradition of Lester Young, Stan Getz. Nerem achieved international recognition for his performances.

Career

Nerem was born in Oslo, and began his career playing clarinet during World War II, and recording with Syv Muntre and participated, among others within Rowland Greenberg's ensembles. The tenor and alto saxophone eventually became his main instruments, and started in 1947 a more than 20 years career in Stockholm, Sweden, where he became one of the first bebop performers and quickly became one of Sweden's most renowned, first in the orchestras of Thore Jederby and Santa Skoog. After three years within Karl Westby's orchestra at Rainbow, Nerem went into several Swedish bands including with Simon Brehm and Harry Arnold's radio band. He was a member of Carl-Henrik Norin's band and performed on recordings by Ove Lind, Siljabloo Nilsson, Lasse Sjösten, Arne Domnérus, Monica Zetterlund, Thore Ehrling and Nils Lindberg. The period culminated with the album How long has this been goin 'on.
Nerem returned to Norway in 1973 and led his own Bjarne Nerem Kvartett releasing the album Everything happens to me, awarded Spellemannprisen 1976. They also released This is always, and contributed in Nerem solo album More than you know. Furthermore, figured Nerem on releases with Karin Krog, Sandvika Storband and Kristian Bergheim. Internationally, he collaborated with Kenny Davern and Flip Phillips, Al Grey. He died in Oslo.

Honors

Discography (in selection)

Solo albums

  • 1971: How long has this been going on
  • 1987: ''More than you know''

Within his own Quartet

  • 1976: Everything Happens To Me
  • 1984: ''This Is Always''

Portrait albums

  • 2001: Portrait of a Norwegian Jazz Artist, recordings from 1962–80
  • 2006: Embraceable you, recordings from 1984–88
  • 2008: Bjarne Nerem – The big band sessions
  • 2008: ''Bjarne Nerem – The small band sessions ''

Collaborative works

As sideman

With Benny Bailey and Åke Persson
With Stan Getz
With Roy Haynes
With Quincy Jones