Photo: CF Wesselberg.
Helge Lien is a pianist, composer, and since 2013 Associate Professor at the Norwegian Academy of Music. He is particularly known for his work with the Helge Lien Trio, an ensemble that over several decades has distinguished itself nationally and internationally with critically acclaimed recordings and extensive touring.
Lien’s artistic activities range from solo projects and duos to larger ensembles and commissioned works, and he has collaborated with a wide range of prominent musicians in Norway and abroad.
A central focus in his pedagogical work is George Russell’s Lydian Chromatic Concept of Tonal Organization. Lien has studied the concept extensively with Andy Wasserman – Russell’s long-time assistant and designated successor – and holds the status of certified instructor.
At the Academy, he teaches Lydian Chromatic Concept, various forms of ensemble playing, as well as one-to-one lessons with pianists, guitarists, violinists, and other instrumentalists. His teaching emphasizes musical presence, listening, communication, interaction, and dynamics in all jazz and improvisational contexts.
Biography
Helge Lien (b. 1975) is a Norwegian jazz pianist and composer, recognized for his lyrical touch, rhythmic complexity, and ability to combine structure with improvisation. With a strong connection to the Nordic jazz tradition, he has developed a distinct voice that balances melodic storytelling with a dynamic and expressive approach to the piano.
Growing up in Moelv, Norway, he began exploring music from an early age before studying jazz at the Norwegian Academy of Music in Oslo under the guidance of Misha Alperin. There he refined his skills in both composition and improvisation, laying the foundation for a long and continuously evolving career in jazz.
Since the early 2000s, Lien has been a central figure in Scandinavian jazz, especially through his work with the Helge Lien Trio, but also in collaboration with musicians such as Arild Andersen, Tore Brunborg, Adam Bałdych, and Live Maria Roggen. The trio’s many critically acclaimed albums have developed a unique interplay characterized by strong melodic lines, harmonic richness, and rhythmic drive. Their music is deeply rooted in tradition yet constantly evolving, balancing composition and spontaneity in an organic way.
Beyond the trio, Lien has collaborated with a wide range of musicians, including those in classical music, folk traditions, and singer-songwriter genres, demonstrating his versatility and openness to exploration. His projects span from solo performances to ensembles and commissioned works, all marked by a particular sensitivity to dynamics, space, and musical form.
Lien has received several awards, including the Norwegian Grammy (Spellemannprisen) for Best Jazz Album, and he remains a sought-after performer on the European jazz scene. Whether performing solo, in trio format, or with larger ensembles, his music invites listeners into a universe where every note carries meaning, and silence is as important as sound.