The American-Scandinavian Foundation, in collaboration with the Royal Norwegian Consulate General in New York , presents the Norwegian jazz trio In the Country, which consists of Morten Qvenild (grand piano), Roger Arntzen (double bass), and Pål Hausken (drums). Qvenild is probably best known for being the orchestra in Susanna and the Magical Orchestra, but he has also been a member of Shining, Jaga Jazzist, and Solveig Slettahjell’s Slow Motion Orchestra. Since he formed In the Country with fellow students Arntzen and Hausken at the Norwegian Academy of Music in Olso in 2003, they have been named best young jazz artists in Norway, played concerts in Europe and the U.S., and released their debut album, “This Was the Pace of My Heartbeat” (Rune Grammofon, 2005) to much acclaim. Critics have called the album “startling” (Mojo), “fantastic” (Straight No Chaser), and “one of the finest and most arresting albums to come out of Europe ” (Downbeat). “Translucent intimacy, wry morbidity and an abiding faith in the power of crescendo: these are the basic tools of In the Country….The group has a dual attraction to unabashed prettiness and shadowy drama,” writes critic Nate Chinen in a New York Times review of their newest album, “Losing Stones, Collecting Bones” (Rune Grammofon, 2006). This album features 11 brand new Qvenild originals recorded in the legendary Atlantis Studio in Stockholm , home of the first classic ABBA recordings. For more information, visit www.inthecountry.no/links.html or www.myspace.com/inthecountrytrio. Concert in Victor Borge Hall to be followed by a reception on Scandinavia House’s outdoor garden terrace.

Victor Borge Hall

Scandinavia House: The Nordic Center in America

58 Park Avenue @ 38^th Street

New York, NY 10016

Concert reservations: (212) 847-9740

General information: (212) 879-9779

www.scandinaviahouse.org