- N E W S

5th of May 2013: I really suck at updating this website. Maybe I should cancel it and rely on my artist page on Facebook? Anyway....

Done a lot of gigs since the last update. One I never will forget is the memorial concert of the late Tore Hansen which took place in Hammerfest church. It was a very memorable event with lots of good words and music in memory of the late master.

It´s starting to look like spring outside. I really look forward to the upcoming summer. Lots of fun and play:)

Until the next update.

14th of February 2013: Busy as always with my musical adventures. Both in the studio and on stage. I have gigged live with Topcoat, Ivan Jonas, Hammerfest Big Band and some orchestra gigs with my day job so far this year. Diversity is the main word here:)

I have a lot of gigs coming up. First off with Ivan Jonas again, then Decibel, then Team Steinar, then Topcoat etc. Lots of stuff to look forward to.

Studiowise I am back on track with All about the sound´s new release wich is bound to be released this fall. Raymond Robertsen´s project is progressing and my friend Dag - Jarle Nilsen is working on a musical which I have laid down som guitar tracks on. I am also going to produce an EP for the band ÅREMÅL. Will start work on that in the second week of march. Done several on/off recordings as well. Thank god I still get phone calls from producers that wants my sound:)

This week a giant in the Norwegian music industry passed away. Tore Hansen, which was a songwriter, artist, the "get the job done guy", promotor and the frontman of the band Unit Five. I worked with him on/off since 1987, and did my last gig with him last november. For me he was a friend and mentor which always looked forward and not backwards. He will be sadly missed, but his music will live forever. Rest in Peace my friend.

3rd of January 2013: Long time since the last update. First of all, I wish you all a happy new year. 2012 was a year that it will be hard for me to top musically. Some highlights:

- I was part of Team Steinar that won "det store korslaget"
- Toured with fabolous artists: Topcoat, Ivan Jonas, Kjetil LInnes, Johan Sara Jr., Tore Hansen, Elin Kåven, Decibel and many more.
- Produced releases by All about the sound, Reidar Næss, Bøbben & Yogi and more....
- Played on several releases as a guitarist.

This will be hard to top in 2013, but I will try HARD to do that:)

9th of October 2012: So much fun, fun, fun.... Gigged as a madman this autumn, and loving it! Done a couple of gigs with Kjetil Linnes Band at a packed Barila. It´s a priviligue to play with Kjetil, a great guy and fantastic artist. And not to mention the band!!!!!

On that note, my stint with Topcoat continues. Since the last update here we gigged 4 gigs in Harstad and Narvik. Packed house and total liftoff at every gig. It´s almost surreal to play with Lars Inge, Jan Harald, Arnfinn and Tor-Arne. Always an unique experience to share stage with those guys. And that I mean in the most positive way. Hope they hire me often!

Gigged in Oslo sat. 6th of October at Stopp Pressen with Decibel. Good to be back at Jan Willys place. The band was on fire and we got rave reviews of the gig. Lots of old friends and family showed up, so we really felt welcome and appreciated.

Last but not least. This winter I am going to participate in a TV show called "Det Store Korslaget" on Norwegian TV2. I got selected to join Steinar Albrigtsens team. TEAM STEINAR! That will be a new experience for me. Looking forward to it:)

When I read this myself, I feel very lucky. Can´t remember the last time I had a bad gig. This is almost too good to be true. Playing in all these exeptional bands, recording with fantastic artists, travelling, meeting friends and colleagues, in addition to my precious "day job" as a guitar teacher and performer at Hammerfest Kulturskole, I must conclude that I am a lucky man:)

3rd of September 2012: Where did the summer go? Time passed by way too fast. Had many good laughs, meals, talks, gigs, days, nights, experiences and so forth this summer. In my mind this summer will be labeled the "Topcoat" summer. We had a string of gigs and experiences I never will forget. So much fun.

On that note: My summerjob in Topcoat is now over. It was supposed to be a tour in july and then we all should go back to normal. Well, It´s kind of extended now. We did a couple of gigs in August and this upcoming weekend I will gig with the boys in Harstad before we go on to record a single during next week and do two gigs in Narvik next weekend. Busy but fun:)

Other than that It looks to be a busy autumn/ winter. Many gigs lined up with Kjetil Linnes Band, Decibel, Topcoat, Ivan Jonas, Reb, Rythm & Blues, JAZ etc.

Full steam ahead:)

Just home for a day or two now to catch my breath before I am heading out agein with the guys the upcoming weekend.

Started to plan/ book the autumn and winter 2012. Seems there are several interesting musical adventures ahead:)

Music is my life!

16th of July 2012: My Topcoat tour schedule has now started. And what a blast. I feel like I´ve found the fountain of youth. The guys in Topcoat have been my friends since mid 90´s, and finally we´re doing gigs together. The band is smoking and the crowd goes nuts everytime they hit the stage. I understand them, cause I go nuts as well. Their setlist is basically the soundtrack of my life:) I still have several Topcoat gigs ahead and I can´t wait to get out with them again:)

Also got the opportunity to gig with Steinar Albrigtsen and Jørn Hoel and their band at Millionfisken festival. Great fun and great guys:)

14th of July 2012: Gigged with Decibel at Hammerfest Ølfestival friday the 13th of July. No unlucky date for us as we had a great time at the festival. We did a tribute to one of Norways greatest guitarists, Marius Muller. It was as always great to play with the rythmsection extraordinaire containing the insane talents of Geir Åge Johnsen and Ole Vistnes. I am truly blessed that I have those two monsters in my band!

I also did a couple of gigs thursday 12th and friday 13th in Hammerfest with my compadre Ivan Jonas. He always delivers and make us all feel good. It was busy days with lots of laughters and good music.

Last but not least I also did two event gigs with Kjetil Linnes Band. Those gigs were related to the Open Arctic Tournament which Hr. Linnes wrote the themesong. That man has a lot going for him:)

10th of July 2012: I had an amazing time in Portugal. We were several Norwegians there and it was a blast. Played with Svein Hanssen (voc), Morten Brochs (Tpt, Bs), Margida Nilo (voc) and several other musicians there. Jammed around ALOT!!!!! The same bunch will also return to Portugal next year. I am so looking forward to that!

29th of may 2012: This upcoming weekend is kickstarting my festival summer. I´ll be playing with Kjetil Linnes Band and Jan Arild Sørnes there this year (Have not played at that festival before). Really looking forwart to that. By the way, check out Kjetils new album that will be released 1st of june here: www.kjetillinnes.no.

After that I will do some "end of semester" concerts with my dayjob, then it´s of to Portugal for a couple of weeks with playing, sun and fun before a busy july comes up.

23rd of may 2012: Summer is here. This is my favourite time of year. In addition to sun, holiday and such, summertime means outdoor-festival time. I have some of those lined up this year. Looking soooooo forward to them all.

My friend Kjetil Linnes is releasing his second solo CD 1st of june. We kick off that one by playing at the main stage at Alta Soul & Bluesfestival saturday 2nd of june. Great pop music from a talented songwriter and artist. An honour to be a part of the team.

This upcoming friday I´ve gathered a few friends and made a band called Reb, Rythm & Blues. We´ll be performing at ON in Hammerfest. Great place to play! After the "concert" part we´ll open up for jamsessions. I really hope and believe that it will be a great gig and jam:)

14th of may 2012: Time goes by.... FAST. Soon I am one year older and not any wiser!

Lot of diversity in my musical life at the moment. Really pushing the bassplayer dream now. Last gig with Sørnes I only played bass. Got my pals Dan Olaisen and Trond Are Pedersen to do the guitar duties. Superfun gig at ON. Packed house with a super audience. Jan Arild was on fire and amazed the audience (and us).

The 25th of may I will gig at ON again and present my newest baby: Reb, Rythm & Blues. A bunch of my favourite musician pals with a common goal: To have a good time with great music. Looking forward to that one. And of course, we will top of the gig with a jam session!!!!!

1st of may 2012: Well, maybe a little update would be nice?

Had a lot of interesting gigs and sessions this winter/ spring. Working with a diversity of styles and artists. That keeps things fresh. Done live gigs with Ivan Jonas, Tore Hansen, Elin Kåven, Johan Sara jr, Ingrid Esmeralda and a bunch of other talented musicians.

I am in the process of booking the upcoming summer now, and so far I can reveal that I will do several gigs with renown pop act Top Coat in july, in addition to gigs with Decibel and Ivan. Check my updated gigs page for more tour details.

2nd of June I wil gig with my friend Kjetil Linnes at Alta Soul & Bluesfestival, where he will release his second solo CD.

Studiowise I have been fortunate to have produced the new single for Rap act, Bøbben & Yogi. (Crazy and talented guys) That is a milestone for me. Never produced rap before.

Two full lenght productions are also in the making of two talented artists from the north. Names to be revealed when the projects are closer to completion.

Summer is here.... Soon:)

17th of january 2012: A new year with clean slates har begun. This year I have promised myself to dive more into jazz, play a little less live, do more studiowork and practice more. 2011 was a hectic year for me. Lots of great gigs, experiences and exiting studiowork. I hope that 2012 will be equally diverse, challenging, rewarding and fun.

I have lots of plans on my table (as usual) and I hope some of them will come through.

Studiowise I have some exiting artists coming in to record at my studio. I really feel fortunate and priviligied to have these artists to come and work with me. I will update you guys as the recording proceeds:)

21st of december 2011: Sorry for the lack of updates, been busy (as usual) on the musical front. Lots of gigs and studiowork (and thank god for that!!!).

My friend Reidar Næss released his CD (Which I produced) called "Byen Min" this week. We are very happy with the result. Now it´s up to the public to judge us. Tense times... but good times:)

Gigging a lot this christmas. With Rebbe´s experience (An one-off gig), Kjetil Linnes and Ivan Jonas. Looking forward to all gigs. I play to live and live to play!

Santa got me a Les Paul Godltop for christmas this year. Will be grand to roadtest it on the upcoming gigs:)

I wish you all a merry christmas and a happy new, musical, year.

23rd of october 2011: Been VERY busy musically since the last update. Too many gigs to mention. You can check my gigs section to see what I´ve been up to since the last update.

This weekend has been very rich on experiences. First of all, for the first time in my life I´ve played at a funeral. That was an experience I never will forget. Pushed some serious boundaries and really experienced the power of music. I am very honored to be a part of the great mans farewell.

Furthermore I did two gigs with my "day job" at a trade fair in Hammerfest. I am very happy that we now have performance duties at Hammerfest kulturskole. With my colleagues there, I get to do gigs I NEVER would have done as a freelancer. And I mean this in a good way. I love my job!

Saturday night was a total blast with Kjetil Linnes Band at Redrum Bar & Cafe. Packed venue, great vibe and a killer band. Oh, joy! I really love to play with this gang:)

19th of september 2011: Another great weekend for me with 2 great gigs (and a little jamsession last thursday)

Worked with pop genious, Kjetil Linnes & Band, this weekend. We played at Barila in Alta Friday and Saturday. Full house, a band on fire and a man with a mission in front. It was a total blast and an honour to be a part of this. I really believe and hope that Kjetil will reach out the a broad audience with his music. I am glad to be a part of it. Its a real pro package with lights & sound delivered by Roy Gunnar Løksa and Andreas Hagstrøm. The band is: Kjetil Linnes - Voc/Ac Guit, Jørn Sjøgren - Voc/Guit, Odd - Erling Simensen - Bass, Kai Henning Skimelid - Drums and myself on Guitar.

Met a lot of old and new friends and shared lots of laughs and good stories. Also got to hear my friends in "Intet Sett, Intet hørt" at Han Skjenke. A really potent power duo:)

Today is studio day and some preparations to the upcoming fridays After Work session. More on that later.

4th of september 2011: Holy crap, what a weekend!!! Had two gigs with Ivan Jonas this weekend. One was a private arrangement (for a bunch of nurses:) at Turistua and another at Nostalgia. Both in Hammerfest. What a blast, fabulous gigs:) The first gig was only me and Ivan, on the Nostalgia gig we had several guestmusicians with us. Ulf Hustad, Torbjørn Engan and Jens Andersen. I knew and have played with Ulf and Torbjørn before, but Ivan met them on the gig. Jens was a new accointance for all of us. So its safe to say that this was Hammefests newest band:) They all delivered their best and the evening at Nostalgia was great fun. Thanks to Bettina and Uwe for having us, the great audience for supporting us and to Torbjørn, Jens and Ulf for being sporty and gig with us.

Earlier that day me and Ivan was in my studio with Kjell Arnesen. We had a great time laying down some harmony vocals and keyboards. Ivan and Kjell delivered the goods!

30th of august 2011: Finally landed in Hammerfest. Had a blast playing with Kurt Ivar Strøm & Transportbandet last friday. 800+ people, great weather, good vibes, nice people etc. A very good night. It was also both a pleasure and an honour to gig with Steinar Albrigtsen, Monica Nordli, Andy Nesblom and Thor Hauge at the same event. I really had a blast:)

The day after I had the pleasure to play with Jan Arild Sørnes & Kjell Rune Myrland at Rica Alta. Great audience there. It was an amazing vibe there with a listening audience and musicians that sang and played their asses off. I felt really lucky to be a part of that gig:)

Later the same saturday I went down to "Han Skjenke" and had the pleasure of gigging with Lasse Ingebrigtsen & Steinar Henriksen. Wow.... Great cats! As usual Lasse sang like a god and set his guitar on fire. A great artist! Steinar was fun to see again. 20 years since we last shared a stage and a beer. An incredible player and great person.

What a weekend I had in Alta. Good times:)

Now it´s teaching time at my day job and lots of studiowork ahead. The upcoming weekend I will perform in Hammerfest with my good friend Ivan Jonas. Looking forward to hang and play with that madman:)

26th of august 2011: On my way to play in Alta now. Looks like the weather is on our side, so it can be a great experience playing at the harbour in Alta tonight with Transportbandet and Steinar Albrigtsen. Will be great to hang with my friend Kurt Ivar again and to se Steinar and Andy again:)

Had some great days in Oslo with above mentioned Kurt Ivar and his lovely girlfriend Kristin. They have an amazing place at Solvik, right outside of Oslo. Relaxing to hang at the beach there and we also had a boat trip to hovedøya where we wined and dined in the sun. Good times:)

Next week its back to may "day" job, teaching guitarstudents again. Looking forward to that. And I also look forward to what seems to be a creative months ahead. Teaching, recording, producing, gigging and also time off with my girlfriend, family and friends.

Good to be in Hammerfest:)

21st of august 2011: Had a busy week at Gålå. It was great fun but LOT of work. 9 hrs rehearsals in 4 days for a 3,5 hour play is quite hard work. So to all of you out there that claims that musicians don´t work for a living:)

Met a lot of fantastic people and Gålå is a very scenic place to be. Unfortunately some of us got sick while we were up there. Something in the water/food etc. I am getting better now.

Today I am heading to meet my very good friend Kurt Ivar Strøm and his lovely Kristin. It will be great:)

15th of august 2011: Preparing to my gigs in southern Norway. Next week I will be at Gålåvatn with the production "Peer Gynt for Alle". It is 30 music pieces to learn, I´ve gotten them written out, but I am not the best reader:). Luckily I have spent almost 1,5 year producing the CD with the music, so I have big chunks of it stored in my (fading) memory.

Will be great to see my friends in the orchestra again and spend some time in the lovely scenery that Gudbrandalen provides. Maybe I will take a trip to Vinstra and meet up with some ol´buddies there too:)

14th of august 2011: Lots of stuff on my musical plate these days. Next week I will be at Gålåvatnet rehearsing and performing the play "Peer For Alle", written by Malte Winje. I produced a CD related to this project that was released in February this year. Looking forward to hang and play with my friends and colleagues in the ensemble.

I will also do a couple of gigs down south while I am there. I will tell more after the gigs are done.

Studiowise its been a hectic year. Nowadays I work on a CD with a Hammerfest based singer/songwriter called Reidar Næss. It´s very good stuff and it is a pleasure to work with him. More on this project later.

14th of august 2011: Welcome to my new and re-designed website. I have converted from my database driven site to a straight HTML baset site.Back to the stone age.This is intended to be a nofrills site with no design bells and whistles with focus on info and updates.

I will try to keep this site updated on my musical activities both in the studio and on stage. Music is my life and life is good:)

You can still check out my old webpage here: www.rebbestad.no/music