frode berg.com

Frode Berg

I was born i Oslo in October 1971. My father worked in the seaman’s mission since I was 4, so I grew up around the globe, in Australia, Belgium, France and England before settling back in Norway when I was 11.

After a couple of years in Norway, my family moved to Lier, a small community 40 minutes drive west of Oslo. After 6-7 years of classical piano lessons, and a few years on the trumpet, I joined some friends at school in an instrumental rock band.

We rehearsed in the weekends, and whenever we could do at school during the week.

We all subscribed to Guitar player magazine in the 80’s (era of guitar shredders) and soon got into a contest of who had done the most practise hours during the weekend.

One of the guitar players won, he had practised 13 hours on a Saturday…..this was the time when I built my chops. Youthful eagerness coupled with no particular musical vision….that came later.

My friends eventually dropped heavy metal for fusion records. I thought they sounded crazy and chaotic, but decided after a while that I wanted to give them a chance, so I got a tape of the Mahavishnu orchestra records from about 84’.

It had Jonas Hellborg on bass, and Danny Gottlieb on drums and perc. After forcing myself to listen though it over and over for a week I got it! I was hooked on jazz and fusion.

Funny then when I recorded two albums and did three tours with Danny Gottlieb 12 years later! That was a special feeling!!

I studied classical double bass at the Norwegian state academy under Professor Knut Guettler from 90-94. I studied hard, and was accepted as sub in all the major orchestras in Norway, including the Oslo philharmonic.

However, in 93’ I got a call to sub in Donna Summer’s European band. Donna Summer’s musical director at the time was Norwegian, and they wanted to try to use Norwegian musicians for their European concerts to save some expenses, and to make it easier on the MD. I was thrilled. This was my first real pro gig in Oslo, and it was about going to Monaco for a week with Donna Summer!! Wow!

We flew first class, stayed in the best hotel, were driven in Limos etc. Flying start! After this it could only go one way….

When I got back, the phone started ringing because of word of mouth, and I’ve been busy ever since.

At first I got lots off calls from the older jazz guys, and I often did 4-5 nights a week playing standards in dark jazz clubs throughout the eastern part of Norway. This was a great school and shaped my jazz playing. It also kept me on my toes. Generally no real books around, and the older cats had a habit of counting of tunes I barely had heard the title of…

I was bass teacher at the jazz department at the state Academy in Oslo for 5 years, until I decided to focus on my solo album and own music.

I recorded my debut album “Dig it!” in May 2003, financing it myself, and shopped raw mixes around the world to different labels. After receiving very encouraging word, and having several labels interested in releasing it, I decided to go with Nagel-Heyer records of Hamburg Germany. They are really nice people, and have an impressive catalogue of international artists signed to them, many from the US. This means that “Dig it!” should be available anywhere from New York to Sydney! It’s all very exciting!

I have been a Dr strings endorser since 95’, an SWR endorser since 98’ and also endorse Yamaha basses through Yamaha Scandinavia.

Gigs:

I have played a lot of different type gigs since 93’

I have played with all the orchestras in Norway, including playing as a chamber musician/soloist with the Oslo Philharmonic under Andre Previn (that was intense!)

Also, teaching positions at the state academy, and guest master classes at Trondheim Jazzlinja, Kristiansand conservatory, Institute for stage and studio in Oslo and others.

I have also been involved in many TV shows and series.

Currently I lead my own group “Dig it” with some of Norway’s best jazz musicians. I just released my debut solo record, and will tour with my band in support of this.

I also play in the Norwegian grammy nominated trio “Helge Lien trio”. We have released 3 albums, 2 on the Japanese label DIW, leading to a trip to Tokyo last year.

I am first call rhythm section bassist for several pro orchestras, including the Norwegian broadcasting orchestra. This has lead to me playing with people like : sir Paul McCartney, Victoria Tolstoj, Peter King, Eddie Daniels, Phil Woods, etc.

Selected Recordings:

Oslo groove company (best known big band) “anno 96”

Crazy energy quartet “crazy energy”

Crazy energy quartet “Get crazy!”

Knut Værnes “Jacques Tati”

Knut Værnes (with Danny Gottlieb) “8:97”

Knut Værnes (w Gottlieb) “Super-duper”

Helge Lien “What are you doing the rest of your life”

Helge Lien “Spiral circle”

Helge Lien “Assymetrics”

Erik Smith trio “Finger magic”

Frode Berg “Dig it!”

Plus around 40 recordings ranging from childrens records, pop music and jazz CD’s.

Gear

Basses:

Yamaha TRB 6-PII

Yamaha TRB 5-PII

Yamaha TRB 5-PIIF (fretless)

Yamaha TRB 5IIF (fretless)

Yamaha TRB 4-II

Yamaha BB2000

Fernandes 8 string fretless

Fender Precision 1969

Fender Precision 1976 fretless

Fender Precision hybrid 5 string

German upright from Markenkirchen anno ca 1880

Strings:

DR handmade strings Hi beams 030-125 (on 6 string, 045 as G string on 5 string)

Amps:

SWR interstellar overdrive preamp

Yamaha P3500S power amp

SWR Baby baby blue combo

Epifani 1X12’ cabs (X2)

Effects:

Assorted pedals from Line 6, boss, and EBS

Contact info:

Web site: www.frodeberg.com

Frode Berg

Maarvegen 13

N-1929 Auli

Norway

Tlf: +47 932 55 100

Record label to order ”Dig it!”