A little over a year has passed since Eight Tunes We Like (recorded 2003), an album that received quite stunning reviews in worldwide jazz magazines, and was on many reviewers' best of lists for 2005. In Norway it was nominated for the independent music award Alarm.
The Bad And The Beautiful is made on the same recipe, however it tastes quite different. The two improvisers have worked closely and played concerts in Scandinavia as well as the US, France and Germany for the last three years. When they went to studio this summer, their musical journey had taken them further. Where Eight Tunes We Like is somewhat sober and almost minimalistic, The Bad And The Beautiful is more energetic and instant. Their repertoire spans even wider this time; compositions by Carla Bley, Annette Peacock and Keith Jarrett is included on this album too, but is mixed with songs by Graham Nash and Low-period David Bowie.
«The Bad And The Beautiful» has been nominated to Norwegian Grammy, Spellemann. Read more and see the complete list of fine nominees here
«Best of»-listings 2006 Dagbladet: Jazz of the year 2006
Plan B: Music of the year 2006
Dagsavisen: Top 10, jazz 2006
Reviews
of «The Bad And The Beautiful»:
«The duo’s interplay is nuanced, subtle and satisfying, engaging the listener with a program of delicate but adventurous pieces that ultimately reveal subtle surprises.
Their interpretations of these classics are both respectful and ingenious.» Cadence
«Rent estetisk er disse skivene noe av det fineste jeg har hørt fra nordmenn de siste årene.» Groove.no
«Tenorsaxofonisten Håkon Kornstad och pianisten Håvard Wiik är bästa tänkbara goodwillambassadörer för norsk jazz» Norrköpings Tidningar «...en kul och inspirerad skiva. En kärleksförklaring till musikernas egna favoriter, med såväl David Bowie som George Gershwin bland kompositörerna.» Dagens Nyheter
«There's a personal, intimate quality to the performances - a style that recalls some of the best work in this mode from many years back - such as the teaming of Mal Waldron and Marion Brown, or Archie Shepp and Dollar Brand. And like both of those examples, the style here isn't too free or too out - but a warm exploration of the inner thoughts and musical ideals of both players.»Dusty Groove
«de 11 melodiene [blir] stående som små fullendte musikalske bautaer, hver med sin egen, originale skjønnhet og autoritet.» Dagbladet (NO) «Tenorsaksofonisten og pianisten har modnet samspillet og beveger seg med smidighet og kraft. Dette er musikk med klar fortellerstemme og tydelig nerve.» Aftenposten (NO)
«Så enkelt er det, på årets finaste album så langt.» «this year's finest album so far.»Dagsavisen (NO)
«Best akkurat nå» Natt & Dag (NO)
Confirmed
Kornstad/Wiik concerts coming up:
Moserobie
MMPCD048
The Bad And The Beautiful is dedicated to the memory of our hero Dewey Redman.
«de 11 melodiene [blir] stående som små fullendte musikalske bautaer, hver med sin egen, originale skjønnhet og autoritet.» 
«Tenorsaksofonisten og pianisten har modnet samspillet og beveger seg med smidighet og kraft. Dette er musikk med klar fortellerstemme og tydelig nerve.» Aftenposten (NO) 
