Marius Neset made an astonishingly powerful impression when he first emerged onto the European jazz scene as a young saxophonist of protean gifts more than a decade ago. We have seen Neset bring huge creative energy to so many roles in different contexts, as either an instigator or as a catalyst. An aspect of his work which does not often receive the attention it deserves is the substantial catalogue of works which Neset now has to his name as a composer, a list which continues to grow. He has received and fulfilled a flow of major commissions for substantial pieces for large ensembles and orchestras, including four major works with the London Sinfonietta. Their 2022 concert Geyser premiered at the Royal Albert Hall during the BBC Proms.
Marius Neset has now received well over 20 awards and award nominations including the prestigious Edvard prize and Spellemanprisen in Norway, and the ECHO Awards and the Preis der Deutschen Schallplatten Kritik in Germany. He was also the only European to be listed as one of "25 for the Future" by Downbeat in 2016.
The common thread running through Neset’s career is that both his compositions and playing have consistently attracted other world class musicians, not only the jazz-scene, but from from many different genres in the musical world to want to work. The result is that the sheer breadth of Marius Neset’s activity at the top level in all kinds of musical contexts is astonishing, and is still broadening.
In 2026 Marius Neset is touring his newest album Cabaret (ACT).
“The most talented Norwegian saxophonist since Jan Garbarek in the 1960s” DAGBLADET [Norway]
“one of the most exciting artists in jazz”, his “discography reveals not only an impressive technician but also a formidable composer” DOWNBEAT [US]
