Farmers Market (band)

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Farmers Market is a Norwegian free-jazz band founded in 1991. Humorous arrangements, odd time signatures and influences from jazz, pop and Bulgarian folk music are characteristic to their style.

1 History
2 Current band members
3 Discography
4 External links

[edit] History

Farmers Market was formed in Trondheim during the fall of 1991 by students of the Jazz Department at the Conservatory of Trondheim. Originally they were a free-jazz quintet, but soon headed in a different direction; towards Bulgarian folk-music. Bulgarian music, with its odd meters, oriental scales and improvisational possibilities, has become one of the main musical ingredients of Farmers Market. Farmers Market has become one of Norway's most popular live bands, playing at all kinds of venues and festivals.

Farmers Market released their first CD, Speed/Balkan/Boogie, in February 1995. This was a live recording from Molde International Jazzfestival 1994. The CD features 4 guests from Bulgaria; two singers from the women's choir "Lés mystére dés Voix Bulgares" (now known as "Angelite"), and two folk musicians.

The first Farmers Market saxophonist, Håvard Lund, left the band during fall of 1995 and the band had to look to Bulgaria to get a replacement. Through friends they got in touch with Trifon Trifonov. After an audition over the telephone he joined the band December 1995.

In 1997 Farmers Market released its second album, Musikk Fra Hybridene (Music from The Hybrides). This was an extreme album with elements of many different styles and ideas from bluegrass in odd meters, to metal-inspired versions of traditional balkan tunes, and slick commercial music mixed with Stockhausen. The album got very good rewiews from many contemporary music magazines as well as rock, folk and jazz magazines in Europe.

Farmers Market went into hibernation for a year around 98-99. Upon returning to the scene in 2000 Farmers Market had a new record, simply called Farmers Market, which they released on the German label Winter & Winter.

Through the years since the band was formed in 1991 Farmers Market has played many concerts both in Norway and on the international stage. They often invite guest musicians, such as Michael Brecker.