YGGDRASIL

Yggdrasil biography
YGGDRASIL is an ensemble from Faroe Islands (NOT to be confused with the Swedish folk metal band with the same name), heavily rooted in Faroese, Inuit and Shetland folk/ethnic music, but often adding elements of other music styles in their mix, from various aspects of rock to jazz. They're often composing their work in correlation with various forms of visual art, or in interaction with natural surroundings, such is performances in sea caves.

More than a dozen people have been collaborating in the ensemble from its beginnings (1980) up to this day, such are co--founder Kristian Blak on piano, Eivor Palsdottir on vocals and Danish saxophonist John Tchicai. Other members of a recent line-up are vocalists Kari Sverrisson and Rasmus Lyberth, Villu Veski on saxophone, Hethin Ziska Davidsen on guitar, Mikael Blak on bass and Brandur Jacobsen on drums.

Other (past) members are:

Anders Hagberg, flute & saxophone
Anders Jormin, bass
Angelika Niesen, violin
Brandur Jacobsen, drums
Ernst Dalsgard, flute
Lelle Kullgren, guitar
Mia Karadottir, flute
Olavur Oster, guitar
Tore Brunborg, saxophone
(some diacriticized letter not shown)

The band released 10 albums (mostly for Faroese label Tutl) so far, including a folk-based ballet dance fused with visual art (paper collages) and a concerto for a sculpture.



Sources:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yggdrasil_%28band%29
www.kristianblak.com