Biography

Ingebrigt Håker Flaten has been a powerhouse in the international creative music scene since the early 1990s, driving the evolution of modern improvised music with his commanding presence on both double bass and electric bass. Born in Oppdal, Norway, in 1971, he cut his teeth at the legendary jazz program in Trondheim before exploding onto the Scandinavian scene. He quickly established himself as a restless innovator who treats genres not as boundaries, but as open invitations. You might know him as a founding member of the iconic Scandinavian supergroup Atomic or the explosive power-jazz trio The Thing (with Mats Gustafsson & Paal Nilssen-Love), but his sonic footprint stretches far beyond a few projects. His playing seamlessly bridges the raw energy of punk rock, the deep grooves of hip-hop, and the spiritual depths of avant-garde jazz. This unique approach has made him a highly sought-after collaborator for legendary artists like Ken Vandermark, Peter Brötzmann, and Joe McPhee.

Flaten’s artistic evolution is deeply tied to his geographical journeys. In 2006, he moved to the United States, immersing himself first in the fertile avant-garde community of Chicago and later in the diverse sonic landscape of Austin, Texas. During his years in the US, he formed groundbreaking ensembles like the genre-blurring Young Mothers and his own Chicago Sextet, proving that his vision as a bandleader is just as potent as his work as a legendary sideman.

He also launched Sonic Transmissions, a festival and record label built to foster international creative exchanges. Since returning to Norway in 2020, Flaten has kept pushing forward. His latest acclaimed project, (Exit) Knarr, serves as a brilliant culmination of his thirty-plus years on the road, channeling his experiences into music that is both deeply personal and intensely powerful.

Recognized with the prestigious Buddy Prize—the highest honor in Norwegian jazz—Ingebrigt Håker Flaten continues to be a vital voice for independent musicians and experimental music lovers worldwide, constantly redefining what a bass can do.

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Discography

134 published items

Showing 134 items