release date: 26.09.2025 on Grappa
Celebrating 15 years together, Hanna Paulsberg Concept releases their fifth album, “Himmel over Hav” on Grappa today. For the first time, the quartet teams up with vocalist Elin Rosseland, creating a musical landscape where lyrical melodies, powerful grooves, and improvisational freedom seamlessly intertwine.
Over the past 15 years, Hanna Paulsberg has established herself as one of the most vital and heartfelt voices on the Norwegian jazz scene. A highly sought-after saxophonist, Paulsberg moves effortlessly between musical genres in her many projects — from the pop/soul/jazz trio GURLS, which she co-founded and writes for, to the quartet Flukten, whose sound blends free jazz and folk influences. She’s also part of a Dexter Gordon tribute with Karin Krog, and has contributed to numerous projects with Trondheim Jazz Orchestra, performing with artists such as Chick Corea and Marius Neset. Yet her artistic core has always been her own ensemble, the Hanna Paulsberg Concept.
This fall, the quartet releases its fifth album, Himmel over Hav (Sky over Ocean), featuring legendary Norwegian vocalist Elin Rosseland as a special guest. Hanna Paulsberg has long dreamt of working with Rosseland. Her connection to the vocalist goes back to childhood, when her father – a member of the 1980s band Kix, which featured Rosseland – would share stories and concert tapes at home. “Elin is an exceptional vocalist,” Paulsberg says. “The tone of her voice goes straight to the heart. She’s rhythmically powerful and an incredibly intuitive improviser.”
The album was recorded at Propeller Studio following a tour of Norwegian jazz clubs in the fall of 2023. After over 15 years of performing together with the original lineup – since their student days at the jazz program in Trondheim – this marks the quartet’s first collaboration with a vocalist. Paulberg explains: “In recent years, composing has become a much bigger part of my musical life. I wanted to challenge the band to explore more fully composed pieces.”
The result is a rich and varied album, with rolling grooves, tender ballads, and even hints of pop. The band describes it as: “A mature record — and maybe even a little bit blue, if that makes sense.”
Photo Julie Naglestad
“Himmel over Hav” is released via Grappa Musikkforlag, and will be followed by a series of release concerts in Norway:
- October 10 – Bergen Jazzforum
- October 11 – Rygge Kirke
- October 12 – Kampenjazz, Oslo
- October 29 – Toneheim
- October 30 – Kullebunden Jazz
Tracklist
1. Som en fortelling 06:04
2. Himmel over hav 08:59
3. Gå 04:49
4. Farao 06:38
5. Maria 05:53
6. Sang til Pastor Wang 07:17
7. Homer Wells 09:43
8. Tid 05:22
Hanna Paulsberg Concept is:
Hanna Paulsberg – saxophone and compositions
Oscar Grönberg – piano
Trygve Waldemar Fiske – double bass
Hans Hulbækmo – drums