Torstein Lofthus

Torstein Lofthus is a Norwegian drummer and composer associated with bands like elephant9, Red Kite, Mathias Eick Band, and the trio Eberson/Zanussi/Lofthus. He was previously a member of the band Shining. Lofthus is a popular studio musician, and is often seen behind the drums in TV shows' house bands, e.g. for "Hver gang vi møtes".

Career

Lofthus has had a significant influence on Norwegian music through studio work, live concerts, and teaching at the Norwegian Academy of Music and the University of Agder. Based in Oslo, he now tours Norway and Europe with different bands and artists after finishing his master's at the Norwegian Academy of Music in spring 2006. He plays several genres, well known with both jazz and pop music. He has been the most sought drummer in Norway recent years, if not on tour with Vamp, Jarle Bernhoft, Oslo Gospel Choir, Mathias Eick, Marit Larsen or Odd Nordstoga, he collaborates with Maria Mena, Kurt Nilsen, Torun Eriksen, Bertine Zetlitz, Silje Nergaard, Eivind Aarset, D'Sound, Noora Noor, Norwegian Radio Orchestra, Jon Eberson and Per Zanussi, to mention a few, both in studio and on stage.
He has worked with Shining, elephant9, Red Kite, Marit Larsen, Maria Mena, Jarle Bernhoft, Chrome hill, Mathias Eick Band, D'Sound, Oslo Gospel Choir, Jørn Øien Trio, Liarbird, Torun Eriksen, Ebersson/Zanussi/Lofthus, Garness, Søyr, Morten Halle, Eivind Aarset, Silje Nergaard, Beady Belle, Damp, Bertine Zetlitz, Kurt Nilsen, Maria Solheim, and Papangu.

Awards and honors

2010: Spellemannprisen in the category Jazz for the album Walk the Nile with Elephant9
2011: Spellemannprisen as Innovator of the Year with Shining
2015: Gammleng-prisen in the category studio musician

Discography

Shining">Shining (Norwegian band)">Shining

One One One Live Blackjazz Blackjazz Grindstone In the Kingdom of Kitsch You Will Be a Monster Sweet Shanghai Devil

''Where the Ragged People Go''

[elephant9]

2008: Dodovoodoo
2010: Walk the Nile
2011: Live at the BBC
2012: Atlantis, with Reine Fiske
2015: Silver Mountain, with Reine Fiske
2018: Greatest Show On Earth
2019: Psychedelic Backfire I
2019: Psychedelic Backfire II
2019: Psychedelic Backfire III
2021: Arrival of the New Elders
2024: Mythical River
2024: Catching Fire with Terje Rypdal

[Thom Hell]

''All Good Things''

[Aleksander With]

''Still Awake''

[Torun Eriksen]

Passage Prayers & Observations

''Glittercard''

Jørn Øien trio">Jørn Øien">Jørn Øien trio

''Digging in the Dark''

[Chrome Hill]

''Earthlings''

Damp">Damp (Norwegian band)">Damp

Hoatzin

''Mostly Harmless''

[Mathias Eick]

Skala

''Ravensburg''

[Ola Kvernberg]'s Liarbird

Liarbird, the commissioned work, live from Moldejazz 2010 including Bergmund Waal Skaslien, Eirik Hegdal, Håkon Kornstad, Mathias Eick, Ingebrigt Håker Flaten and Ole Morten Vågan, as well as Erik Nylander

[Jarle Bernhoft]

Solidarity Breaks

''1: Man 2: Band''

[Marit Larsen]

Under the Surface

''The Chase''

[Garness]

Barnet i krybben

''The good or better side of things''

Eberson">Jon Eberson">Eberson/Zanussi">Per Zanussi">Zanussi/Lofthus

Bring it on

[Silje Nergaard]

''Darkness Out of Blue''

[Linn Skåber] and [Dennis Storhøi]

''Petter Snus og vårmelodien''

[Maria Solheim]

Frail

''Behind Closed Doors''

Rockettothesky">Jenny Hval">Rockettothesky

''To Sing You Apple Trees''

[Samsaya]

''Shedding Skin''

[Gisle Torvik]

''Naken Uten Gitar''

Various artists

''Stolpesko''