By exploring sound textures rather than traditional melodies, Eivind Aarset is rethinking the role of the electric guitar in jazz. His debut solo album from 1998 was described by the New York Times as one of the best albums of electric jazz in the post-Miles Davis era. Like many did, he bought his first guitar at 12 after listening to Jimi Hendrix. He then discovered jazz through Miles Davis, the Mahavishnu Orchestra, and Weather Report, and worked as a studio musician for Ray Charles, Dee Dee Bridgewater, and Jan Garbarek. His latest album, I.E., combines surgical riffs and electronic dreaminess in an audacious, nu jazz style. This guitarist came to the Festival thrice with trumpet player Nils Petter Molvaer, and will now perform solo on the same stage as Tunisian Dhafer Youssef. The two musicians know each other by heart, having collaborated on stage and in the studio many times.

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