Espen Berg Trio Pushes the Piano Trio Forward on Entropies

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Since their debut in 2014, Espen Berg (piano), Bárður Reinert Poulsen (bass), and Simon Albertsen (drums) have established themselves as one of the most distinctive piano trios in European jazz. They have toured across Europe, Japan, China, and India, sold out clubs such as Ronnie Scott’s in London as well as concert halls in Tokyo, Kyoto, Guangzhou, and Athens, and have been described by Jazz Journal as «one of the best trios in existence today». Espen Berg Trio continues both to challenge and to renew the piano trio format through their distinctive combination of complex rhythmic language, deep harmonic insight, and strong melodies, all driven by an intense, virtuosic, and playful interplay. 

Entropies revolves around the tension between order and dissolution - the planned and the immediate. Berg has written a set of explosive, highly memorable melodies, but also pushes further with spontaneously composed pieces and polymetric structures that place both the trio and the listener right on the edge of their seats. In Berg’s own words: «For me, the most important thing about the album format is that it tells a story. Entropies - a scientific term used to describe states of disorder and unpredictability - unfolds within the music on the album itself, but also refers to the many conflicts and challenges we are experiencing in the world today. In these compositions, I have drawn inspiration from different corners of the world and musical traditions, from the music of pianists such as Craig Taborn, Nik Bärtsch, Keith Jarrett, and Brad Mehldau, and I have also written a new arrangement of Sting’s classic Russians.»

Some of the tracks are further coloured by contributions from Flavia Huarachi (flute), Joakim Munkner (cello), and Nils Olav Johansen (guitar, vocals), yet the trio also stands firmly on its own through Berg’s newly written compositions. Above all, Entropies carries a clear and deeply personal imprint: an organic interplay in which precision and freedom exist side by side, and where the music always seems to be in motion. 

Espen Berg was described as a «true master of the piano» by All About Jazz following his debut album Noctilucent (2012). His most recent solo release, The Kempen Concert (2025), was praised as «one of the most important piano recordings of all time» by German outlet Radiohoerer. Berg was awarded the SpareBank 1 SMN JazZtipendiat at Moldejazz in 2016 and became an official Steinway Artist in 2023. He is also active in a wide range of collaborations with artists including Silje Nergaard, Mathias Eick, Sarah Chaksad, and Hildegunn Øiseth. 

With Entropies, Espen Berg Trio reaffirms its position as one of the strongest voices on the Norwegian jazz scene today - uncompromising, vital, and in constant evolution.