Susanna And The Magical Orchestra

Susanna and the Magical Orchestra is a Norwegian duo consisting of Susanna Karolina Wallumrød (vocals) and Morten Qvenild (keyboards). Both hail from Kongsberg, a small Norwegian town most known for its free thinking jazz festival. Susanna comes from a musical family with brothers Christian known for his trio Close Erase, and Fredrik being the drummer in rock band Span. Morten was a member of Jaga Jazzist until he quit to concentrate on his work with Susanna. He has also worked with Nils Petter Molvær and Norwegian pop diva Bertine Zetlitz. Their debut album, List of Lights and Buoys (2004, Rune Grammofon), contais nine beautiful low key original songs plus highly personal interpretations of Dolly Parton's Jolene and Leonard Bernstein's "Who Am I". The record shows a surprising degree of maturity, especially considering the writers' young age. Producers Andreas Mjøs (Jaga Jazzist) and Helge Sten (aka Deathprod... and a member of Supersilent) have, in different ways and from different positions been crucial helpers in shaping the final result. Sten has also mixed the album. In addition, the reknown artist Kim Hiorthøy has designed the sleeve. Their second album Melody Mountainconsists of ten beautiful cover versions, among them Joy Division's Love Will Tear Us Apart. By the way, their live performances is just brilliant and breathtaking.