Jon Balke

About

Jazz artist and composer known as the founder of the Magnetic North Orchestra. He was one of Norway's foremost jazz composers.

Before Fame

He became a member of bass player Arild Andersen's quartet when he was 18.

Trivia

He created a series of multimedia concerts for the Vossajazz festival that incorporated extreme sports like parachuting, paragliding, hanggliding, and BMX biking.

Family Life

His older brother Erik Balke became a world-renowned saxophonist.

Associated With

He and fellow Norwegian jazz pianist Vigleik Storaas were contemporaries.