On Anodyne

'On Anodyne' is Norwegian jazz pianist and composer Jon Balke's commissioned work for the vocal ensemble Trondheim Voices and percussion group Batagraf, based on the poem "Anodyne" by the American poet Yusef Komunyakaa.

Trondheim Voices is an improvisational vocal ensemble formed of professional singers, all of whom have studied in the jazz programme at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. The ensemble has been regarded as one of the leading groups of its type in Norway and the rest of the world for the past ten years. The group has commissioned new music and presented works by a number of prominent composers, and has worked closely together with sound designer Asle Karstad and artist Anne-Cathrin Hertling for many years.

The percussion collective Batagraf was established by Jon Balke in 2005. Batagraf is described as a musical "think tank", and from the start its objective has been to explore the connections between rhythm, language and literary content. Batagraf has collaborated with a long list of poets, comedians, dancers and writers, and has released two critically acclaimed albums on the ECM label.

'On Anodyne' was recorded and mixed at Rainbow Studio, and was produced by Live Maria Roggen, Jon Balke and Jan Erik Kongshaug.