“Beautiful compositions! Such a wonderful concert!” - Luca
Solo Due consists of Lorenzo Nardocci on piano and Fender Rhodes and Oscar Utterström on trombone. Lorenzo, who originally comes from Italy, has lived in Norway since 1999 and is active in many areas of the music industry. He is a well established jazz pianist and is also a busy church organist and music pedagogue. Oscar, originally from Uppsala, moved to the USA in 1999 and has since then freelanced as a trombonist and arranger primarily in Nashville, TN, but also in later years in Oslo, Norway.
Available on all streaming platforms and bandcamp.
New Christmas Album
Christmas classics from Scandinavia and Italy
On November 19 Solo Due released their second Christmas album Thoughts On
Christmas II. The album consists of a collection of favorite compositions from Oscar and
Lorenzo’s childhood displaying the excitement, magic, and stillness of Christmas that is so
prevalent in a child.
Songlist:
1. Adeste Fidelis (O Come All Ye Faithful) (trad): This Christmas classic is a staple in
many countries including Norway, Sweden and Italy. Solo Due puts their own stamp on
it by infusing their sensitivity and thoughtfulness.
2. Karl-Bertil Jonssons julafton (Svensson): The main theme from the Swedish short
film of the same name. A popular cartoon for all ages about taking from the rich and
giving to the poor at Christmas à la Robin Hood. Originally performed by the great
Swedish saxophonist Arne Domnérus.
3. Tu scendi dalle stelle (trad): One of the most famous Italian Christmas chants that
can be performed in many ways from bagpipes to children's choir. Here Solo Due
gives it a rhythmic treatment injected with energy.
4. Jul, jul, strålande jul (Nordqvist): Celebrating 100 years this Swedish Christmas song
beautifully displays the Nordic melancholy in melody and harmony.
5. When You Wish Upon a Star (Harline): An Oscar winning song from the Disney
movie Pinocchio from 1940. Leigh’s parents (last name Härlin) left Oscar’s small
village in Sweden to immigrate to the US in 1891.
6. En sockerbagare (Tegnér): Alice Tegnér was a famous Swedish music teacher and
composer of numerous children’s songs. This particular one about a kind baker was
a favorite of 5-year old Oscar performing with his grandmother.
7. Betlehems stjärna (Tegnér/Rydmark): Alice put music to a poem by Swedish writer
Viktor Rydberg. This song rounds off the album leaving the listener in a relaxed
mood for Christmas.
New Album by Oslo based Solo Due
A voyage through longing, love, hope and despair
On June 4, 2021, Solo Due released their second album Diamante which is a collection of original compositions and carefully selected covers with a focus on melody and beautiful harmonies. The song selection for Diamante reflects on feelings and thoughts experienced during the pandemic and invites the listener to afterthought and gratitude.
Solo Due consists of Lorenzo Nardocci on piano and Fender Rhodes and Oscar Utterström on trombone. Lorenzo, who originally comes from Italy, has lived in Norway since 1999 and is active in many areas of the music industry. He is a well established jazz pianist and is also a busy church organist and music pedagogue. Oscar, originally from Uppsala, moved to the USA in 1999 and has since then freelanced as a trombonist and arranger primarily in Nashville, TN, but also in later years in Oslo, Norway.
Songlist:
1. Andrà Tutto Bene (Nardocci/Utterström): "Alt blir bra" (=everything will be ok) echoed in Norway during the pandemic in 2020 and the rainbow became a symbol of hope for a better future, represented on the album cover. Lorenzo and Oscar composed "Andrà Tutto Bene" together to mirror the emotional rollercoaster of the past year.
2. Diamante (de Gregori/Fornaciari/Musker/Saggese/Vergnaghi): Italian artist Zucchero made this song famous in 1990 and is to this day part of the best selling album of all time in Italy. Diamante was the nickname for Zucchero’s late grandmother and is a tribute to her. It is also a song about the feeling of rebirth that comes at the end of a war.
3. Departure (Utterström/Agati): This song was first heard on Oscar’s album with the same name from 2012. The song is about starting out on a new journey in uncharted territory and the feelings of uncertainty and melancholy that accompanies.
4. Help Me Make It Through the Night (Kristofferson): During Oscar’s time in Nashville he has discovered many songs that might have gone unnoticed by non-country fans. Solo Due show their sensitive side on this suppliant song.
5. Always and Forever (Metheny): A love song penned by guitarist Pat Metheny. When life becomes heavy and complicated, love will eventually prevail.
6. The American Dream (Utterström): Inspired by the iconic film music often used to characterize settlers in the USA, Oscar wrote this piece during the civil unrest of 2020. The bluesy solo section further displays the complexities of the US society.
7. Still Loving You (Schenker/Meine): The German rock band Scorpions’ hit from the mid 80s. A song about waiting, hurt pride and getting a second chance in love. Lorenzo switches to Rhodes on this one and Oscar matches with some backgrounds on electric trombone.
8. Don’t Look Back in Anger (Gallagher): Diamante concludes with the iconic song by the British band Oasis. The song has become somewhat of an anthem after the terror attack in Manchester at an Ariana Grande concert in 2017 symbolizing solidarity, forgiveness and hope for the future.
Video Compilation
Press Photos
Lorenzo Nardocci
Oscar Utterström