Håvard R. Skarre (1978-)

At one point during my formative guitar lessons, Geir Otto Nilsson, my seminal guitar teacher in my home town of Drammen, taught me my first "jazz chords". These were harmonies only vaguely familiar to me, but thanks to Geir Otto, I was now able to make them my own. Around the same time, he taught me how to play Antonio Carlos Jobim's compositions "One Note Samba" and "The Girl from Ipanema". Thus, the seeds of my love for the various musical traditions of South America were sown.

Some years later, I found a great source of inspiration in the records of the American guitarist Pat Metheny. He has recorded some of the most beautiful melodies and guitar solos ever made. Gradually, I realized that one of the crucial elements of his music was what I perceived as a Latin American inflection.

My musical journey has continued along this road. Among the people who have made a lasting impression on me are the Argentinean musicians/composers Dino Saluzzi and Astor Piazzolla; Brazilian musicians like João Gilberto, Baden Powell, Luis Bonfa and the aforementioned Jobim; and Michel Camilo, with his adaptation of Caribbean influences. While pursuing these traditions, I have also maintained my love of North American "smooth jazz" as played by the likes of Earl Klugh and Lee Ritenour.

Håvard R. Skarre

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