Biography
7 June 1955, Hamar, Norway. Playing piano and other keyboard instruments, Balke has developed into a highly skilled performer. He first played professionally in 1974, working and sometimes recording with various improvised music groups in Norway, among them those led by Arild Andersen, Karin Krog, Radka Toneff, and Jon Eberson. From the end of the 70s, Balke worked on numerous musical projects throughout Europe including the UK and also in Africa, India and the USA. Among many collaborators in these activities were Jon Christensen, Paolo Fresu, Marilyn Mazur, Archie Shepp, and John Surman. Since the early 80s, Balke has been very active as a composer, writing music for theatrical productions, art exhibitions, and chamber groups, meanwhile writing extensively for a wide range of jazz groups from small ensembles up to big bands. His groups have often been unorthodox in their instrumentation. Among these, his eight-piece Magnetic North Orchestra has fielded three...
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