Batagraf

Batagraf started in 2003 as a research project on elastic rhythms with Helge Norbakken and Jon Balke initiating a series of rehearsals with fellow percussionists Ingar Zach, Kenneth Ekornes and Harald Skullerud. Word got around about the work and after two years we were presented onstage at Parkteateret in Oslo. Not long after we decided to go in the studio and made the album Statements for ECM records. The project then branched out over the years in different directions: “Batragrand” larger group with 10-12 percussionists, “Batabrok” with rapper Runar Gudnason and guitarist Hedvig Mollestad, “Pratagraf” with standup comedians Are Kalvø and Espen Beranek Holm and a sextet version with Trygve Seim, Mathias Eick and Emilie Christensen. The latter is documented on the Jazzland CD “Delights of Decay”. Batagraf is currently a core consisting of Helge Norbakken, Snorre Bjerck and Jon Balke and continues to work occasionally with Pratagraf, but has also returned to the research mode , documenting and publishing a series of Youtube videos called “Batagrams”. Batagraf has organized a series of travels to Njawara in Gambia for studies with the griot drummers of the Wolof culture.

photos by Helge Andreas Norbakken