Ola Gjeilo Essentials

Norwegian composer and pianist Ola Gjeilo got his start as a self-taught musician influenced by the jazz his father listened to as he was growing up in the '80s, and the influence of Keith Jarrett remained firm following Ola's studies in the US at Julliard. But rather than jazz, he turned to fully notated music, writing for piano, symphony, and most famously for vocal choirs. His exquisite compositions balance the ethereal with the soaring, embracing the rich timelessness of polyphonic singing with hints of minimalism and chamber jazz. Many leading choirs including VOCES8 and the Choir of King’s College have recorded his work.